what Water elementary shadowed out outwardly which cools cleanses quenches the Thirst makes fruitful outwardly Piscator on this John 3.5 saith very evidently Seeing that without this Water whereof Christ spake to Nicodemus no man can attain unto eternal Life it follows that Christ spake not of Baptismal Water Lombard Vossius yea a Cloud of Witnesses have showred down Testimonies to the same purpose but if notwithstanding all this thou wilt have John 3 5. to speak of material Water then Mat. 3.11 He shall baptize you with the holy Spirit and with fire must be understood of material Fire then outward Fire must be used in Baptism which would be judged an Absurdity and a strange Doctrine Water and Fire are in these places added to shew the effectual Operation of the Spirit working that inwardly which Fire and Water represent outwardly as many have observed born of Water and of the Spirit or of Water which is the Spirit John 7.38 9. as Piscator observes so baptized with the holy Spirit and with Fire baptized with the holy Spirit which is Fire a Coal from the Lord's Altar giving light to the inward man spiritualizing him changing him into the divine Image from Glory to Glory elevates and carries the Renewed Heaven-ward purifying from the dross of Sin Polutious and Defilements uniting to the Called Faithful and Chosen separating from the World in a word who dwell in the Light of Grace these more and more receive the Spirit in which Christ's Baptism is a Coal from the Lord's Altar operating inwardly as elementary Fire outwardly Of Children in the Womb Baptized Satan the grand Adversary by Hellish Suggestions Wicked Temptations Unclean Injections by little and little after the primitive Times disjoynted and as I may fay dis-spirited many so that the pure serious Worship in Spirit and in Truth came by little and little to be departed from and a will-Will-Worship clouded with Ceremonies Shadows Traditions Inventions of men came to be established so that Augustin in his day taught That Children born or unborn if quickened in the Womb were Damned if they dyed without baptism hence the Necessity of baptizing Infants was concluded as before I have touched Now it being observed that many Children dyed in the Womb and according to Father Augustin's Doctrine such were damned if unbaptized the consideration of this set them to seek a Remedy for that Disease and none could be found except the Child in the Womb could be baptized but if it might then all was well in order to this concern a great Question was propounded An pueri in utero possint baptizari it a salvari that is Whether Children in the Womb could be baptized so saved yea or nay This was looked upon as a Mysterious Question and necessary to be considered and it set the most curious Wits on work and out of the Magazine of carnal Reasoning came this Conclusion If a Quickened Child in the Mothers Womb shall be in danger to dye thorough the Weakness of the Mother or of the Child or thorough hard Labour let them bless or pray for the Child and let them strengthen the Mothers Womb let them commend the Child to God with Desires to baptize it and can protest saying The Fault is not in them why that Child is not baptized the Observation of these Ceremonies upon the Child's account was judged equivalent to Baptism and the Child concluded to be saved thorough its Parents Belief Cassander de baptismo Thus after the ingress of Apostacy multitudes of Inventions were brought into the Church and to the end they might have favourable Entertainment they were stiled Decent and Doctrines of Christ or Apostolical Traditions Concerning Baptizing of the Dead Thorough the Smoak of the Apostacy after the Apostles dayes such was the Depravation of mens Understandings as that they ascribed the virtue of Renovation Regeneration and Eternal Salvation to Baptismal Water yea and not a few concluded it effectual not only for the Living but also for the Dead so that the Cataphygians and Montanists baptized the Dead Bodies of men as saith Philastrius and Georgius Ederus in his Mataeologia haereticorum There were some saith Sparke that baptized the Dead and put the Sacramental-Bread in their Mouths as their Viaticum udging it better to have such a necessary Ordinance by Proxy then altogether to go without it A Child that dyed unbaptized was taken up and Christened as 't is said and had his Fathers Name given him Magd. Cent. 7. Concerning Baptizing the Living for the Dead Thorough the Apostacy many fell into a dead Lethargy as I may say into a spiritual Sleepiness Drowsiness and Forgetfulness as Israel of old who forgot the Lord dayes without number a Custom crept in among the Marcionites and Cerinthians that when any Catechumenist dyed without Baptism that is such a one as had been instructed in the Principles of Christianity some living Person was placed under the Bed of the Deceased then the Priest came unto the Deceased Party saying Desirest thou to be baptized the Dead Man replying nothing the Party under the Bed answered for it saying I would be baptized thus they baptized him for the Dead as if they acted a Play upon a Stage Tertull. Epiphan de Cerinth haeres Goodwins Roman Jewish Antiquities Paul to the Corinthians said If the Dead rise not at all why are they then baptized for the Dead 1 Cor. 15.29 a Custom saith Piscator on this place not universal nor taken up in all Churches nor among the Corinthians is here noted A Custom saith this Piscator sprung up among the ancient Christians of being baptized at or over the Graves of the Dead of the Martyrs to testifie saith he that with Christ they were dead to sin and ready to dye for him c. But the Churches who bare about in their mortal Bodies the Dying of the Lord Jesus so came to witness his Life manifest in them they knew the Ground of Rudiments and beggarly Elements cast out the End of Shadows and Figures manifested in which they left off John's typical Baptism without and all other irrePtitious Customs and Confusions about the same Of an Annual Baptism that is of such as Baptize themselves every Year The Habbasines a kind of mongrel Christians in Affrica baptize themselves every year on the day of Epiphany so called in Lakes or Ponds thereby to keep a Memorial of Christs Baptism in Jordan which was performed on the aforesaid day as many of the Ancients conjectured Trapp on Matth. 3. Of Outward Fire used in Baptism The Apostacy prevailed with and in the Church as a Consumption upon a Mortal Body which weakens the Body by little and little causeth Leanness and turns the Body to the Dust so the Apostacy crept in by little and little the Cross of Christ being turned from Weakness followed spiritual Leanness that was lost which opens Scriptures and fulfils them in men so conceits conceivings mis-apprehensions mis-interpretations got place as from that
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-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
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
Good Conscience purged from Dead Works to God-ward is known Trapp on Heb. 6.2 concerning the Doctrine of Baptisms makes a clear Distinction betwixt the outward Baptism of Iohn with Water and the inward Baptism of Christ with the Spirit Piscator on Mat. 3.11 saith There is a two-fold Baptism the one Outward whereby the Body is cleansed the other Inward by the Spirit whereby men are regenerated and renewed washed and purged from the Filth of Sin People were to be taught saith Wilson in his Comple at Christian-Dictonary 'to put a Difference betwixt Outward Baptism by the Minister and the Inward Baptism by the Spirit wherewith Christ baptizeth The Minister saith the same Wilson baptizeth by Sprinkling with water Christ baptizes by bestowing the Gifts of his spirit Prudentius holds out a clear Distinction betwixt Iohn's Baptism with Water and Christ's Baptism with the Spirit saying in his Euchirid ' Perfundit fluvio pastus Baptista locustus ' Sylvarumque savis et amistus veste Cameli ' Tinxerat et Christum sed spirit us aethere missus ' Testatur tinctum qui tinctis crimina donot John fed with Locusts and with Honey wild Clothed with Camel's Hair the Baptist stil'd He dipped Christ Christ by the Spirit 's Grace Baptizeth his and doth their Sins deface The Second Assertion John's Baptism in or with Water was a Figure or a Shadow of Christ's Baptism in or with the Spirit so thereby fulfilled and ended THE Living God made Man perfect and upright at the beginning as a Garden watered with Heavenly Drops beautified with Fruits of Righteousness according to the Nature of the noble Seed in him yet he kept not his original Station but was entangled in the Net of the Hellish Spider whereby Fruits of Unrighteousness sprung up in him the Foundation of another Kingdom was laid so that a world of Wickedness was usher'd in the comfortable Sun-shine of the Lord's Presence was lost yet in this State there issued out from the Court of Heaven a Hu-and-Cry as I may say after faln and forlorn man and it was proclaimed yea evangelized to and in his Ears that The Seed of the Woman should bruise the Serpent's Head Gen. 3.15 Now after this in Ages and Generations this Seed was figured out by Types and Shadows whereby the Faithful were led as by the hand to look after and wait for the Promised Seed Abel in his day offered a Firstling of the Flock shadowing out the Seed of the Woman Christ Jesus the First and the Last Lord of and in his Flock who was to destroy the Works of the Devil Gen. 4. Noah after the Flood builded an Altar unto the Lord and offered clean Beasts and clean Fowl thereon unto the Lord which the Apostle witnessed fulfilled when he said We have an Altar whereof they have no Right to eat who serve the Tabernacle Hebr. 13.10 in which Altar only is offered up a Clean Heart and Holy Hands In the dayes of Abraham Circumcision outward was instituted Gen. 17.10 a Shadow of a Circumcision without hands in and through Christ Isaac burded an Altar and called on the Name of the Lord Gen. 26.25 Jacob erected an Altar and called it El Elohe Israel which is being interpreted God the God of Israel Gen. 33.20 And among the other Figures of the first Priesthood which time fails me to speak of particularly Moses was commanded to make a Laver of Braâ—â— and to put Water therein and Aaron and his Sons were to wash their Hands and their Feet therein lest they dye Exod. 30.18 c. Who are of God they read these things and see what was pointed out thereby Now when John was come who was not the Christ but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Fore-runner of Christ it pleased the Lord that he should not be without something in his Dispensation which might point out that which should shortly be revealed as others before him in their respective Ages and Generations had and what was that even to baptize with Water such as repented and believed to clense away the filth of the flesh outwardly figuring thereby Christ Jesus who by the Power of his Spirit should purifie wash and clense inwardly all that received him so that Christ being come who was before Abel yea before the Hills and Mountains were he put an End not only to Abel's Firstlings to Noah's Altar to Abraham's Circumcision to Jacob's Altar to Moses's Laver-washing but also to John's Jordan-washing yet I say though these things were but outward and availed nothing to the purifying of the Conscience yet inasmuch as they were divine Commands and Shadows of a future Glory they were not to be disputed but practised owned and honoured in their time and season To this purpose well said Bernard Non attend it verus obediens quale sit quod praecipitur hoc solo contentus quia praecipitur that is One truly obedient minds not what like the thing is which is commanded in this only contenting himself or acquiescing because it is commanded Now if John's Water-baptism was a Figure a Shadow a Type of Christ the Life the Glory the Treasury of the Evangelical Dispensation the Head of his Body the Church his Kingdom which stands not in Words but in Power not in Shadows Types and Figures but in Substance in Righteousness Peace and Joy in the holy Spirit and that it was a shadow Writers have born evidence and plentifully then by Christ ended and fulfilled so bears no Evangelical Perpetuity Hugo Grotius on Mat. 3. calls Water-Baptism a Ceremony Piscator on John 1. saith When John had instituted a new ceremony those that were sent enquired of him By that Authority he did those things if he was neither Christ nor Eâ—as Repentance and Faith saith one were the Qualifications of John 's Typical Baptism which was in slain Water without Oyl Salt Spittle Cream which are Antichristian Additaments Danvers in his Treatise of Baptism calls it a Sign or a Figure of the Mystery of the Gospel Baxter calls Water-Baptism a Sign of Regeneration pag. 117. Dr. Taylor calls Water-Baptism a Shadow The Sacraments of Baptism and of the Supper of the Lord saith Juel in his Apologet we with Tertullian Origen Ambrose Augustine Jerome Chrisostom Basil Dionisius and othe ancient Fathers do call them Figures Ceremonies Signs Types Shadows Similitudes Remembrances c. And every Type hath its Anti-type by the which it is ended and fulfilled Water-Baptism saith one was not instituted to have Grace inseparably tyed to it but to figure out the Power of divine Grace giving these Reasons 1st That John made a Distinction I with Water Christ with the Spirit 2dly Otherwise all the Baptized should be regenerated which appears otherwise in Simon Magus Ananias Saphira c. Calvin in his Institutes calls Water-Baptism a Sign a Figure saying If men be Partakers of the thing signified that is of the Substance why shall they be with-held from the Sign If they obtain the Truth why shall they
first telling them that all Power was given unto him in Heaven and in Earth then he informed them what their Work should be First To Disciple the Nations that is by the Power of their Ministry to bring them to be Disciples of Christ to learn of him to know his Teaching to take up his Yoke to bear the same to learn Obedience to come into the self-denying state of Discipleship so the word â—riginally imports saith Bullenger Zwinglius Leigh Fisher c. Trapp Secondly He told his Disciples that they should baptize or dip the Nations not in the Name but into the Name of the Father c. Dell Fisher Hammon Trapp And what is it to baptize or dip into the Name of the Father Even the same that Paul spoke of when he said By one spirit we are all baptâ—zed into one body 1 Cor. 12.13 So that it is the Spirit that baptizeth into one Body as also into the Name of the Father to be a living Member of that Body whereof Christ is the Head 't is the Spirit that effects this not visible Water Furthermore Christ in these words commanded not his Disciple to turn back to John's Ministration to dip them in Jordan or in any other River or in a Bowl Bason or Font but into the Name of the Father c. which is no other thing then by the Power of the Spirit whereof they were Ministers to bring them into the Power of God to have fellowship with him through the Spirit Now the Name of God is his Vertue or Power as In my Name they shall cast out Devils that is in my Power this Zwinglius on this place observes Teachers in Sprinkling of Infants which they call Baptism use this Scripture as a Form of words saying I baptize thee in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost which thing the Apostles did not which undoubtedly they would have done if Christ had commanded it as an absolute Form Further Zwinglius said of this place Christus Jesus baptismi formulam qua uteremur his verbis non instituit quemadmodum Theologi hactenus falso tradiderunt that is Christ Jesus did not in these words institute a form of Baptism which we should use as Divines have hitherto falsly taught This was the Testimony of Zwinglius who in his Day was a great Opposer of Anabaptists Lib de bap pag. 66. Tom. 2. oper Piscator on the same place peaks fully to the same purpose Again This place cannot be meant of Water-baptism because Paul thanked God he had baptized none but such and such for saith he Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the Gospel 1 Cor. 1.14 15 16 17. yet he fulfilled that Mat. 28. he preached the Gospel in a circuit from Jerusalem to Illyricum and many by his Ministry were discipled brought into the state of Disciples to learn of Christ yea and into the Name of God that is into his Power many were baptized into the Name of the Father as his Sons into the Name of his Son as his Jewels and Ransomed Ones into the Name of the Holy Spirit as his Sanctified Ones these knew the One Baptism by One Spirit into One Body Why doth Paul thank God that he baptized none but such and such 1st Because he saw them idolizing and jangling about it which he knew to be a thing not of absolute Necessity not a Command of Christ but used or born with for a season for the sake of the Weak and others in reference to Iohn's Ministry if he had commonly practised it before from his Practice they might have been strengthned in their Thoughts about it he being a great Apostle Secondly He thanks God that he baptized none but such and such And why Because he was not sent of Christ so to do Thirdly Lest some should say that he baptized in his own Name rather into his own Name as the Greek Copies and divers English Translations render it seeing from Christ in whose Name he came he had no Command so to do What Ambassadour of an earthly Prince commissioned to treat with a forreign Prince about especial Matters if he fail in reference to the Contents of his Commission and treat about Matters whereto he was not commissioned can he expect that his Prince's Favour should be unto him as Dew upon the Grass or rather that his Wrath should be as the Roaring of a Lyon So if that in Matth. 28. had been a Command obligatory to all Gospel-Ministers to Baptize with outward Water could Paul have Cause of Rejoycing in that he fulfilled â—ot the Command Consider this and judge Cbj. That in Mat. 28. must needs relate to outward Water for the Apostles could not Baptize with the Spirit Answ Who as thus reason are ignorant of the Ministry of Christ which is a Ministry of the Spirit for all that are sent of Christ through their Ministry people are turned from Darkness to Light and translated from Death to Life where Christ's Baptism is known and this they do as indued with Power from above John 17.18 As thou hast sent me into the World saith Christ even so send I them And must not Christ and his Ministers be found in one Work even to turn people from Satan's power to the Power of God where the spiritual Baptism is While Peter preached to Cornelius and his Kinsmen and near Friends the holy Spirit fell on them Acts 10. wherein Christ's Baptism is Moreover Paul laid his Hands on certain and the holy Spirit fell upon them Acts 19. even that Spirit wherewith Christ baptizeth Yea and in Acts 26. Paul gave a Relation of his Call as also of his Work I saith the Lord have appeared unto thee for this purpose to make thee a Minister And what was his Work In preaching to the Gentiles to open their Eyes to turn them from Darkness to Light from the power of Satan usto God that they may receive Forgiveness of Sins and an Inheritance among them that are sanctified by Faith in Christ Iesus Paul declared his Commission to preach and the Effects of it was glorious Conversion Faith Remission of Sins Sanctification Salvation he took not Flesh and Blood into counsel evil Counsellors for the Soul but silencing Flesh entertaining a noble Resolution he put himself into the hand of God saying in effect Te duce vera sequor To duce falsa nego Consider Paul in and through the Virtue of him that sent him opened peoples Eyes and turned them from Darkness to Light and from Satan's power unto God Were not these Witnesses of the Spirit 's Baptism Yes for without the Spirit and its Baptism none come to God nor out of Satans power Thus Paul discipled the Gentiles that received his Testimony and baptized them in and through the Spirit into the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Spirit and this was and is done not by Water-baptism without but by the Spirit 's
Baptism within Again 2 Cor. 3.6 Paul testifies That they were made of God able Ministers of the New Testament not of the Letter but of the Spirit even of the Spirit in which Christ's Baptism is revealed And Paul demanded of the Galatians saying Received ye the Spirit by the Works of the Law or by the hearing of Faith Gal. 3.2 As if he should have said True it is you have received the Spirit but not by the Works of the Law but by the hearing of Faith so that the Apostles preaching the Word of Faith unto them they received the Spirit even that Spirit which baptizeth into one Body So that it is clear unto me that such as alledge this Scripture Go and teach all Nations baptizing them in the Name of the Father c. to patronize Water-Baptism or Rantism that is dipping or sprinkling in Gospel-dayes they are Wresters and Perverters of the Scripture and that this Scripture as many others hath in the dark Night of Apostacy been wrested perverted abused and mis-interpreted beside what hath been spoken may be more fully made apparent Zuinglius and Piscator say expresly that Christ Jesus did not in those words institute a Form of Baptism and that Divines had taught falsly who held it out as a Form One Gulielmus who was a Roman-Catholick taught That the Form of Baptism should be thus I baptize thee in the Name of the Father of the Son of the holy Ghost and of the blessed Virgin Mary Cent. 13. Mag. 419. There was a certain Priest who being a Lack Latin said in baptizing Baptizo te in nomine patria et filia et spiritu sancta which is false Latine as Latinists know about this there was no small contention as whether the Baptism was lawful yea or nay where False Latin was broached Bonifacius Bishop under Carâ—lus Magnus was of Opinion that the Party thus baptized ought to be Re-baptized upon which Pope Zacharias wrote to Donifacius That he should not be Re-baptized for that notwithstanding the False Latine it was True Baptism he also put him in mind of the Custom of the Church that if any were baptized by Hereticks such should not be re-baptized but only purged by Imposition of Hands Thus False Latin got the Day A Bishop of Paris in a Synod expressed himself thus Let Baptism be celebrated with Reverence and let the Priest be very cautious in the Distinction and Pronuntiation of Words in which all the Vertue of the Sacrament and the Salvation of Children consists Statut. Synodal Odonis Parisiensis Episcopi This is a strange yea an unchristian Doctrine denying the Virgin 's Birth Jesus by interpretation a Saviour in whom alone Salvation is and ascribing the same to Water without Formal Words Distinctions and Pronuntiation without Obj. The Apostles practised Water-baptism not only before the coming in of Christ's Baptism but after as 't is evident in the Acts of the Apostles doth not this infer the continuance of it in Gospoltimes Answ As it was said in a certain Case so may I say in this Judicis officium est ut res it a tempora rerum Quarere that is A Judge must not only enquire after things but also after their Times and Seasons True it is the Apostles for a season practised Water-Baptism not Rantism that is Dipping not Sprinkling but whether they did it by Command or by Permission hath been a point of controversie As for me and Thousands more we believe that they did it not by Command from Christ but took it up and continued it for a season in relation to Iohn's Water-Baptism as Paul said in a certain case 1 Cor. 7.6 But I speak this by Permission and not by Commandment After the Ascension of Christ some of the Apostles used outward circumcision not as by Christ's Command but in relation to Moses for their sakes for a season who were weak or otherwise affected certainly knowing that soon after the Virtue and Purity of Circumcision made without Hands would put an End to Circumcision outward for the Mosaical Shadows and Figures were the most truly put off when tâ—ey felt the Substance Christ the Life the End of such things risen in their mortal Bodies for as the Sun-light swallows up the Moon-light and as Darkness is chased away when the Sun appears and mounts up in its lustre so all outward Shadows Types and Figures from the dayes of Righteous Abel to John were to vanish as the Life of Christ came to be exalted in his Church John intimated thus much when he said I must decrease he must increase So John's Water-baptism was to decrease Iohn being a Fore-runner and his Servant was to resign up his Baptism to Christ yea and as a Servant to deliver all things into his hands as Heir and Lorâ— Iohn's Baptism reached unto Christ's Kingdom but hath no place therein yea and to bring Shadows and Figures into his Kingdom is if rightly understood antichristian for his Kingdom is wholely spiritual and in his Church he is a Bundle of Myrh yes that very thing which from Abel to Iohn was represented by outward Shadows So that those the Apostles baptized as internally I am perswaded they did it for a season in relation to John's Ministration for the sake of the Weak and of others the Day being but even dawning which was to put an End unto and fulfil the Laver-Washing yea and the Jordan-washing as all other Shadows from Abel to that very season And that they baptized on this Account and not by a Command of Christ several Grounds induce me to believe First Paul a chosen Vessel who planted many Churches yet altogether ceased from John's Ministration of Water-baptism after that he had used it twice or thrice as probably all the Apostles did 1 Cor. 1.14 15 16 17. he thanks God that he baptized none but such and such saying expresly Christ sent him not to baptize dip or plung their Bodies in Outward Water though he did is to a few yet he had no command for it Hence it necessarily follows that he did it by Permission in reference to John's Ministration for the sake of the Weak or of others and the present time till the Lord Christ the End of all Figures was more revealed in them What was he sent to do To preach the Gospel Christ and his Baptism which washes inwardly fulfilling outward Washings Secondly This Paul who had the Mind of Christ held out but one continuing Baptism in the Kingdom of Christ writing to the Saints at Ephesus he said There is one Lord one Faith one Baptism Ephes 4.5 There had been two Baptisms Iohn's with Water Christ's with the Spirit yet the one is repealed and not preached up among them So to the wise in heart I appeal whether this one Baptism he preached up was John's with Water or Christ's with the Spirit and whatever thou be that sayes that the one Baptism which the Apostle preached up was John's Water Baptism I tell thee thou
a living Sacrifice holy acceptable unto God which is their reasonable service Rom. 12.1 a living Sacrifice instead of a Ram sinful Passions are here slain instead of a Goat unclean affections instead of flying Fowls vain Thoughts foaring Purposes wandring Imaginations are slain this is read in those Bodies that are this living Sacrifice Eighthly The Spirits Baptism makes all that partake of it one in and with Christ the Head Christ prayed to his Father saying John 17.11 Holy Father keep through thy own Name those whom thou hast given me that they may be one as we are he prayed for their Oneness who was heard of his Father and Verse 20 21. Neither pray I for these alone but for them also which shall believe on me through their word that they all may be one as thou Father art in me and I in thee that they all may be one in us No true Unity is out of the Lords Name it is a strong Tower a Munition of Rocks here security and safeguard is known a sure and sweet Haven to have recourse unto After Christs Ascension when the Spirit was received with which Christ baptizeth the Churches were Witnesses of this Oneness so Paul told the Galatians Chap. 3.27 28. As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek there is neither Bond nor Free there is neither Male nor Female for ye are all one in Christ Jesus These were clothed with the Sun these were beautiful through divine Ornaments Consider this it was not through Water-baptism but through the Spirits baptism that Christ was put on that Oneness was witnessed And 1 Cor. 12.13 By one Spirit we are all baptized into one Body So who become living Members of that Body whereof Christ is the Head and feel themselves to be of the Corporation and Company of Believers 't is through the Spirits Baptism not through outward Water And 1 Cor. 6.17 He that is joyned unto the Lord is one Spirit Further Paul to the Ephesians said Endeavouring to keep the Vnity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace Epâ—es 4.3 So the Unity and Unanimity is in the Spirit in which Christs Baptism is Ninthly The Spirits Baptism cleanseth from sin and iniquity so fulfils inwardly what John's Water-baptism shadowed forth outwardly 1 Cor. 6.9 10 11. Paul wrote to the Corinthians saying Know ye not that the Vnrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God it is an undefiled Inheritance the Unclean must not tread on that golden Pavement And this Apostle having branched out such and such Workers of Iniquity he concludes thus And such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God Consider this when they came to be Partakers of the Spirit to know its Baptisin then they came to be washed sanctified yea and justified also The same Apostle wrote to the Saints at Ephesus saying Christ loved the Church and gave himself for it that he might sanctisie and cleanse it with the washing of Water by the Word that he might present it to himself a glorious Church without Blemish Spot or Wrinkle Now 't is not Water without though man were washed a thousand times therewith but the Spirit of the Lord wherewith Christ baptizeth where a Well of Water is known springing up unto eternal Life that effects these things in the Church Tenthly The Spirits Baptism makes true Christians so deny it and sweep true Christianity from off the Earth Paul writing to the Romans said 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 Lettir whose Praise is not of man but of God and as truly it may be said He is not a Christian that 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 and not in the Letter whose Praise is not of men but of God Gods Eye and Regard is to the inward Iew and the inward Circumcision to the inside Christian to the inward Baptism but mans Eye and Regard who knows not the Laver of Regeneration is to the out-side Christian to outward Baptism for of the many Eplscopalians Presbyterians Independents Baptists and others who have written of Baptism and Rantism that is dipping and sprinkling few if any have written of the Baptism of Christ with the Spirit which John the Baptist Christ Peter Paul c. bare witness to the Virgins Birth was by the Angel unto Joseph named Jesus by interpretation a Saviour for saith he He shall save his People from their Sins Matth. 1.21 After he was baptized of John in Jordan and the holy Spirit descended like a Dove upon him from the divine Anointing which came upon him he came to be called Messias and Christ which both signifie anointed Christ in Greek as Mesâ—â—â— in Hebrew signifies anointed because he was anointed of the Father Peter bare record of Christ saying God anointed Jesus of Nazareth wâ—th the holy Spirit and with Power who were about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil for God was with him Acts 10.38 Thus Jesus was the Anointed of the Father the Christ the Messias and him the High Priests Prophets and some Kings under the Law anointed with material Oyl represented so Christians signifies Anointed Ones and none are truly Christians but as they partake of the Anointing whereby they become Members of Christ spiritually influenced by Christ their Head so become Kings and Priest unto God The Disciples as Acts 11.26 were called Christians first in Antioch called so by divine Direction as the word signifies saith Trapp on this place the same Anointing which came upon Jesus which God gave not by measure unto him Joh. 3 34. the same Anointing is given in measure to the Members of Christ of his Fulness they receive Grace for Grace these are true Christians truly Anointed Ones Hebr. 1.9 Thou hast loved Righteousness and hated Iniquity therefore God even thy God hath anointed thee with the oyl of Gladness above thy Fellows Thus real Christians partake of the Anointing in their respective Measures Christians are Christ's and they that are Christs have crucified the Flesh with the Affections and Lusts Gal. 5 24. Now such as take not up the Cross but live in the Flesh in the carnalizing Principle and in this profess the Scriptures God Christ and his Ordinances so become swel'd with historical Knowledge and Notions and hence conclude themselves Christians I say they are not really so Non re sed nomine Christiani Not real but nominal Christians in Name only even as such who said they were Jews but were not but were the Synagogue of Satan Rev. 2.9 The Tucks at
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