open the signification of the word Baptism by context of Scripture which you build your Faith so much upon and to shew you how you deceive your selves in binding limiting and confining the word to signifie only to dip plung overwhelm without warrant of the learned in the Tongues or sense of holy Scripture I must acknowledge my selfe the unfittest of many to intermeddle with a work of this nature by reason of my want of skill in the Tongues as you likewise acknowledg the same yet you bring many Authors to prove the word Baptize to signifie to dip yet you confess they say it also signifieth to wash or sprinckle so that by your own grant the testimony of the Learned proveth no more for * It is error to confine it as you do you then against you and forasmuch as the Learned themselves are at their wits end concerning the signfication of some words in holy Scripture as in Job 2. 9. Some say where it is translated Curse other say Bless also the word Euriclydon Act. 27. 14. One saith it signifieth a North-East wind another a soultery hot wind but forasmuch as many words in Scripture are left by the learned in the original Term though in English Letters as Baptize Messiah and many the like It behoveth you I being Englishmen not wholy to rely upon the learned in Tongues seeing the Jewish Rabins skilfull in Tongues did not all of them understand the true sense or meaning of the Scripture nor yet to slight or lightly esteem of the worthy endeavours of the learned in translating the Scriptures who have dealt so honestly where they durst not confine the word to one sense or tearm they left it to be understood by the people of God as the Spirit of the Lord should direct them The word Messiah being alledged against a Jew to prove the death of Christ how the Angel prophesied Messiah should be slain Dan. 9. 26. I saith the Jew but Messiah signfieth any one that is anoynted Governor so that when words in Scripture have large or divers significations we ought carefully and wisely to consider the divers use and meaning of them to agree in a harmony of holy Scripture Likewise â—ell an Athiest that God made the Heavens and the Earth Gen. 1. 1. He may answer as the Learned in the Tongues say Aelohim sometimes is used to signifie Angels Psal 8. 5. with Heb. 2. 7. sometimes to signifie magistrates Psal 82. 1 6. therefore he believes not any such God properly as we profess not having Gods Spirit to understand the sense and true intendment thereof Likewise the originall word for worship as the Learned do express the same Latria and Latréuo sometimes largely used and sometimes more strictly so that word worship generally comprehendeth the performance of all duties required in the first Table of Gods Law Deut. 5. 6. 15. more strictly and properly to worship is to bow down and supplicate to God Mat. 2. 2. Again the originall word for Church Congregation or Assembly given in by the learned Kahal in Hebrew and in Greek Ecclesia which word is used for any Assembly which without the help of Gods holy Spirit cannot be rightly divided as the gathering together in a Market is Ecclesia where Women as well as Men have equall priviledge to speak yet the word Ecclesia a gathering in a Church Assembly where men and women have not equall priviledge alike to speak 1 Cor. 14. 34 35. Likewise when but two or three are gathered together in Church worship Mat. 18. 20. they bear the name Ecclesia and when the Church consisteth of thousands they are but Ecclesia Acts 4. 4. Acts 7. 38. Exod. 19. 1 3 5. 6. So when it signifieth the least we are not to despise the day of small things Zech. 4. 10. Luk. 12. 32 Likewise the word Saviour sometimes signifieth Christ sometimes Christs Miniâ—â—â—rs Obadiah ver 21. 1 Tim. 4. 16. sometimes civill Magistrates or Deliverers Neh. 9. 27. which divers use is approved by the Scriptures by which we ought to take the more notice of the word Baptize which as is said before that the learned give in to signifie to dip wash water sprinckle so that my friend R. A. you are very bold upon you own head and the men of your Judgment to bind up the word Baptize to only dip without either the learneds assent or warrant of holy Scripture therefore both you and all of your Judgment consider by what hath been said how many words in Scripture a few before treated on that cannot be confined without adding or diminishing from the mind of God but to be understood by the directions of Gods Spirit Rev. 22. 18. Deut. 4. 2. Pro. 30. 6. and learn the counsell of the Holy Ghost of these things put them in remembrance charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit but to the subverting of the hearers study to shew thy self approved unto God a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth 2 Tim. 2. 14 15. So then forasmuch as the holy Scriptures hold forth three several Baptisms by the one word Baptism I shall endeavour by the help of the Lord to lay down some grounds according to the sense of Scripture how we may rightly divide the Word of Truth to understand the same comparing spirituall things with spirituall 1 Cor. 2. 13. and not altogether rely on the learned in Tongues though in due place and right use are not in the least to be despised but highly esteemed for we read the Book is given to one that is learned Saying Read this I pray thee and he saith I cannot for it is sealed And the Book is delivered to him that is not learned saying Read this I pray thee and he saith I am not learned Esay 29. 12. So that great is the mystery of godlinesse 1 Tim. 3. 16. So that when the holy Scriptures as so made use of and interpreted that no one Scripture jar against another but agree in one harmony like as the Levites having Cymbals and Psalteries and Harps and with them an hundred and twenty Priests sounding with Trumpets they made but one sound to praise the Lord 2 Chron. 5. 12. 13. so also the true Trumpets of Gods holy Truths make but one sound 1 Thes 1. 8. Rom 15. 6. to praise the Lord which none can learn but the redeemed from the earth Rev. 14. they can tune both old and new Testament to agree in one harmony of melody and soul comfort Psal 81. 2. Rev. 14. 2. Rev. 15. 3. never a Scripture to jar one against another by which learning our Lord and Master put to silence the learned Rabbins in the Mother Tongue Mat. 22. 41 42 to 46. with this learning and wisdom Stephen in disputing the Studients were not able to resist the wisdom of the Spirit by which he spake Acts 6. 9 10. But the unlearned and unskilfull to reconcile the Scriptures
to agree in one as the Apostle saith They that are unlearned and unstable wrest as they do also the other Scriptures unto their own destruction 2 Peter 3. 16. Now then the whole Scriptures are called the Word of God 1 Thes 2. 13. Luk. 8. 11. Yet as it hath many sentences or words as every word of God is pure Prov. 30. 5. Yet it is called the word of God because it agreeth in one harmony together as when a controversie fell out among the Church at Antioch it was ended in reconciling both Old and New Testaments together As it is written to this agreeth the words of the Prophet Acts 15. 15. And all the Apostles Doctrins agree with the Doctrins of the Prophets Rev. 21. 12. 14 19. Ephes 2. 20. Acts 26. 22. Acts 17. 11. Rom. 15. 4. Again the Apostle saith For there are three that bear record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one And there are three that bear witnesse in earth the Spirit the Water and the Blood and these three agree in one 1 Joh. 5. 7. 8. Even so there are three baptisms the baptism of the Spirit Mat. 3. 11. the baptism of suffering Mark 10. 38 39. John 18. 11. and the baptism of Water Acts 10 47. Yet the Apostle saith there is but one baptism Ephes 4. 5. So that there is but one word or tearm for these three baptisms and when they be rightly understood the signification of the word baptism will agree in one so I shall begin with the first in order The signification of the word baptism is opened by the Spirit of God in the administration thereof in the spiritual baptism to be a pouring forth as saith the Prophet Vntill the spirit be poured on us from on high Esa 32. 15. Ezek. 39. 29. Joel 2. 28. which was fulfilled in Acts 2. 17. 18. and 10. 45. So that by this one Spirit the whole Church or body of Christ consisting of men women children are baptised into one body 1 Cor. 12. 13. Being an holy nation by the gift and sanctification of that holy Spirit 1 Peter 2. 9. 1 Thes 4. 8. Rom 15. 16. Heb. 11. 2. And this baptism of the Spirit is by the Spirit of God called sprinkling Ezek. 36. 25 26. Heb. 9. 14. 1 Pet. 1. 2. in the manner of Rain Psal 77. 17. Secondly There is also the Baptism of suffering Mark 10. 38 39. Col. 1 24. which the Saints or Members of Christs Body do partake of Phil. 2. 17. 2 Cor. 1. 5 6 7. As for example one suffers reproaches Heb. 13. 13. others reproaches and losse of goods Heb. 33. 34. others banishment Esa 51. 14. Rev. 1. 9. others losse of life Rev. 1â— 11. So every one according to the measure the Lord is pleased they shall be exercised with and these degrees of suffering some more and some lesse is the word Baptism signified by but shall a man say that he that suffers reproaches and not losse of goods is not partaker of Baptism of suffering or he or they that suffer losse of goods and banishment and not losse of life is he not partaker of the baptism of suffering because he doth not partake in the largest sense of the signification of the word baptism in suffering consider these things And thirdly There is also the Baptism of Water which being the same word as the two former in signification and we see the baptism of the Spirit is administred by pouring or sprinkling and also in Isa So shall he sprinkle many Nations Isa 52. 15. ye we see every one hath not a like measure of the Spirit Rom. 12. 3. but to every one is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ he gave some Apostles some Prophets some Evangelists some Pastors some Teachers Eph. 4. And he that received least received one tallent and all the baptism of the Spirit but shall a man say because he that received but one Tallent or the least gift of the Spirit that he is not partaker of the spiritual baptism because he hath not ten Tallents or the largest gift of the Spirit he would be deceived in his understanding of the true meaning of the word so as the word in the two former significations is not nor cannot be tied up to one sense according to the Scriptures nor the testimony of the Learned but signifieth more or lesse water in the administration of the baptism of water being performed in the order of God therefore it is evill to confine the word in the signification to dipping or greatest measure of the use of water unlesse the two other baptisms of the Spirit and suffering could or ought to be confined to the greatest measure of the Spirit and suffering but the learned in the Tongues as I conceive durst not confine the signification of the word Baptism to one sense as you presumptuously do but not only to dip but to wash to water and sprinkle and did very faithfully to leave it in the tearm baptize to be understood of all Gods people as his holy Spirit should direct them by context of Scripture comparing spiritual things with spiritual one Scripture unfolding another by harmony of agreement and this may be observed for a general rule of Faith that whatsoever Doctrin Collection or Observation for a truth believed out of holy Scripture by any If an absurdity will fall upon it then their supposed truth is but error as for example when some denyed the Resurrection of the Body the Apostle Paul overthrew their collection by an absurdity that justly would fall upon it in these words If the dead rise not then is not Christ risen then is our preaching vain and your faith is also vain the like 1 Cor. 15. So likewise if according to your understanding of the word Baptize that it is only to be understood of the greatest measure of washing by dipping plunging or overwhelming it will then upon it this absurdity follow that he that hath not the greatest measure of the baptism of the Spirit as the Apostles Prophets and Evangelists hath not the baptism of the Spirit then the whol Church are not baptized by one Spirit into oâ—e Body for every one had not a like measure but had diversities of gifts then there is * Contrary to 1 Cor. 3. 1. 1 Pet. 2. 2. no babes in Christ but only those that have the greatest measure of knowledge contrary to the Apostles doctrin 1 Cor. 12. 4. 7 8 9 10 11 12 13. seeing that it hath the same word for the spiritual baptism as for the water it must needs have the like sense in signification and if one may be tyed up to the largest sense only there is like reason for the other and if not the one then not the other thus my friend R. A. consider how you are deceived in your understanding of the true sense of the word Baptize and observe farther what
to Romes I shall lay down their manner as their own Writers say It is a dipping three times in water In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost in Bellarm. de sac Bap. 1. 1. c. 25. Bellarm. de Image 1. 2. c. 29. Again consider my friend suppose a man while he is an unbeliever in the Wars have a leg or arm shot off and yet by Chyrurgery he is cured that he is as heart-whole as ever and may probably live as long as if that had not befallen him and in process of time comes to be a Believer shall not this man be Baptised if he was not Baptised before because you cannot Baptise all the whole man having not all his Members As many members make one body 1 Cor. 12. and this man with his heart believeth and with his mouth confession is made to Salvation Rom. 10. Shall not this man be Baptised think you and here a part must be taken for the whole or else it is not lawful to Baptise some Believers contrary to the Scriptures And again If the Baptism be utterly denyed not to be retained which we have received in Apostate Churches you thereby affirm all the people that are in our known parts of the world to be unbaptised and you cannot prove a succession in your way and so no lawful ministry to Baptise a People for no unbaptised person may be a Minister to Baptise but such was Mr. Smith in his own judgment Neither have any unbaptised people power to elect or ordain a Minister among them of this can no rule president or example be shewed in the Scripture but all to the contrary especially since all extraordinary Officers have ceased So must all the building of Christs Church and work of the Ministry cease until some second John Baptist or new Apostles be sent down from Heaven c. And they that make a new Ministry as Jeroboam did will be found to be the worship of the Devil and Ministers of Sathan 2 Chron. 11. 15. 2 Cor. 11. false Apostles deceitful workmen must also make a new Gospel and confirm it with new Miracles as I have heard some say when they could not prove a succession of Dipping by a trùe Ministry from the Apostles dayes they have thought an unbaptised person might begin the work to Baptise by Dipping but for warrant hereof no one word of God could be brought as Israel who made them Idols after their own understanding Hos 13. 1-3 When the way of man is not in himself it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps Jer. 10. 23. but that we may beware of the Rocks of Popery and quick-sands of Anabaptistry by the light of God's Word let us consider what is the safest way to take in this distress when men are at their wits end whither should we go but to the Lord for counsel Isa 42. 16 God's gracious Spirit blowing upon the sails of our faith we shall safely sail through all these difficulties into a strait way to the sincere practise of the Gospel for he that hath ascended up on high hath not left his Church destitute of counsel in all times and estates whatsoever and though the Lord for the judgment of the world and trial of his servants and manifestation of his power bring his servants into Babylon yet knoweth he how to deliver his servants without justifying of Antichristian or Babylonian Assemblies to bring his people forth to Sion and to rear up the decayed Tabernacles of David which were fallen down Amos 9. 11. without using one stone of Babel in the work for a corner or for a foundation And we being fallen into deep Apostasie in these parts of the world let us see whether we can find any president of such times and see whether we can fetch any better directions for the retaining of the Ordinance of Baptism than your way of Anabaptistry or twice baptizing for it is good for all to observe that the persons which John Baptist and the Apostles did baptize were not baptized before as we were in the state of Apostasie We read That whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our instruction Rom. 15. 4. And we find written in the time of Hezekiah that the Kingdom of Israel had a long time remained in Schism and Apostasie having forsaken the true Temple and made to themselves new Temples new Altars as the History of the Chronicles do declare 2 Chron 30. neither could by any warning be reclaimed only such as did return and left their false worship and came to the true Temple to worship God were received and admitted to the Passeover without either gathering correcting or repeating the Circumcision they had received in the times of their Apostacy The like we read in the times of Josiah in 2 Chron. 30. and in Ezra and Nehemiah when they had yet longer continued in their Schism and Idolatry and yet upon their return out of captivity unto the Lord the Circumcision then received was not repeated again Ezra 6. 21 22. yet no doubt to those men in those times while they continued in that idolatrous estate the Circumcision then received was no true seal of Gods Covenant to them being added to their false Worship Idolatry and Apostacy And I think this will be granted of all hands that God's Covenant is no longer continued with any Church or people than they remain in his faith and obedience Rom. 2. 25. But some may say I justifie the outward action of Circumcision as it is done in the false Church nothing less but condemn it altogether as a hainous profanation of God's holy Ordinance yet when it is purged by sincere repentance of the abuse thereof it pleased God in pardoning the faults and to reserve and not repeat the outward action which because it was vvrongly done it cannot be said not to be done at all for vve must put a difference betvveen a thing not rightly done and a thing not done at all for the errors and defaults of the Baptism being purged by Repentance and done away by the mercy of God the Lord now beholdeth the rest of the action and the thing which in pretence they seemed to do as his Ordinance so that we find this way the way of God concerning Circumcision received in the false Church when as those persons that were Circumcised in that state and after came to the true way of God they were not Circumcised again the like may be said of Baptism seeing Circumcision was the seal of faith and Baptism now as is before proved So by like equality as the one Seal received in Apostacy and not repeted so Baptism received in Apostacy is not to be repeted and so we have a foundation in Gods word to build our faith upon and not to follow your own spirits Object But if any say that Circumcision could not be repeted again and Baptism may because the foreskin being once cut could not after be cut again Answ The Apostle resolveth this doubt saying If any man called being Circumcised let him not become uncircumcised 1 Cor. 7. 18. which words do import that there might be a gathering of the flesh again by the Art of Chyrurgery as divers Histories do declare Joseph Antiq. Lib. 12. chap. 6. And again what should be more against reason to think why the outward Baptism delivered in a false Church should be denyed to be retained seeing Circumcision that was received in a false Church was not denyed when as the Scriptures shew that the state of the Romish and false Church in their Apostacy is like the state of Israel in their Apostacy as these and like Scriptures do shew Rev. 17. 1. 5 with Jer. 3. 8. Hos 2. 2 3. 1 Thes 2. 3. Therefore Baptism received in such estate is to be esteemed Now as Circumcision was in Israel in their defection but that Circumcision was so esteemed and such a state and walking was only repented of Thus if persons will follow the president of Scripture they shall find comfort at last but for persons to deny this Baptism and own that true Baptism for a man to Baptise himself as Smith did is proved by several testimonies this will be their reward as saith the Prophet Behold all ye that kindle a fire that compass your selves about with sparks walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks that ye have kindled this shall ye have of mine hand ye shall-lye down in sorrow Isa 50. 11. Thus according to my weak ability in unfained love to your soul I have returned you some Answer to your answer to John Turners Argument for Infants Baptism though he himself if he had pleased while he lived could have given you a more fuller Answer But forasmuch as your desire was I should peruse the writing between you I was willing for the vindication of the Truth of God in this point though the unfittest of many but as many of their great abilities brought rich things for the work of the Tabernacle yet those of small abilities who brought but Goats hair being accepted of God was not despised so though my abilities be but small to farther the work of the Lord I hope it will not altogether be despised of any that are imployed in the work of the Lords Tabernacle the true Church of God the stay and pillar of truth thus desiring the Lord to bless these my labours for the comfort of his Elect and the Lord alone to have the glory honour and praise now and for evermore Amen Reader I having no thoughts when I first wrote this Treatise that it should come to publick view but seeing providence hath so disposed thereof I think good to acquaint thee if these people which deny Infants Baptism have likewise deceived thee as perswading in word or writing that it is not lawful to eat blood and things strangled which is the Doctrine of Devils 1 Tim. 4. For thy help against that error you may have a small Treatise where this book is to be had proving it lawful by the Doctrine of Christ and his Apostles to eat blood and strangled things in these dayes of the Gospel Published by the Author of this Book FINIS
signification the Spirit of God giveth of the word Baptize Ananias said unto Paul Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins Acts 22. 11. Which washing in sign of cleansing in the ordinance of baptism may be done with water in a Bason being called a washing John 13. 5 8. and a part being taken for the whole as shall after more fully be proved that baptism of water was so performed on the person a part taken for the whole but since extraordinary gifts and officers are ceased it will in the next place be needfull First To know where Baptism ought to be performed Secondly Who are the true Administrators thereof Thirdly On what part of the Body baptism of water ought and is most likely by the Scriptures it was administred upon You bring many Scriptures to shew that persons that were baptized went down into the water and they came up out of the water as Mat. 3. 16. Mark 1. 5. and they baptized in Enon because there was much water that thus the Scripture saith is not denyed but that the persons were dipped these Scriptures speak not which if it were supposed that they were dipt which you gather yet that doth not prove it is not lawfull to wash or sprinckle in baptism according to the foregoing grounds from the signification of the word Baptize But to come to my first particular where baptism of Water ought to be performed it is evident where the word was preached In those dayes came John the Baptist preaching in the Wildernesse of Judea Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea and all the Region round about Jordan And were baptized of him in Jordan c. Mat. 3. 1 5 6. So that it doth appear where he taught there he baptized now where it saith Jerusalem and all Judea were baptized of him here a part is taken for the whole as doth appear in handling the next particular and so we may understand in the use of water likewise where the Eunuch was converted there he was baptized for saith he here is water what doth hinder me to be baptized Acts 10. 36. Likewise when Paul preached the word of the Lord at midnight to the Jaylor the Text saith He took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes and was baptized he and all his strait-way so that there is no ground to think that seeing that the Apostle was so grievously wounded that they should go at midnight to a Pond or River up to the middle to baptize the Jaylor and all his but as I said before where the word was preached and conversion wrought that there the ordinance was performed by those immediately which the Lord did send to begin that work Moreover consider before the Tabernacle of old was reared up or built Altars were builded at several times by several persons extraordinarily called thereunto of God as Noah Abraham Jacob and the like but when the Tabernacle was builded and the Altars appointed to be only there and it was a sin for anâ— of Gods People to offer any Sacrifice elsewhere Levit. 17. 1 2 3 4 5. so that no Minister or Priest of God then was to perform any Church ordinance elsewhere while the Tabernacle did continue unlesse they had a call immediately from God so after in the Temple when it was builded there were all Israell to bring their Sacrifice there were the Ministers to wait on the Altar So likewise whatsoever was written afore time was written for our learning Rom. 15. 4. Jesus Christ the same yesterday and to day and for ever That we Be not carried about with divers and strang doctrines He. 13. 8 9 We are then still to observ the order of God who at first sent extraordinary men to publish his message and perform his ordinances as John Baptist and the Apostles before the Church was established in Gospel order and they performed the ordinance of Baptism whersoever they preached and persons believed but when by these wise Master builders the Apostles the Churches were planted and the Tabernacle of God was with men Rev. 22. 3. and 13. 6. and extraordinary Officers ceased and ordinary Officers chosen by the Churches only remained Answerable to the Priests or Ministers of old in the Tabernacle or Temple where they were appointed to feed the Church of God as it is written in Acts 20. 28. so that since extraordinary Officers are ceased as Apostles and the like and now none remain but Pastors Teachers Elders Deacons and Relievers which have no Authority to presume to that Commission given only to the Apostles Mat. 28. as go teach all Nations baptizing them but observe the latter words of Christ to them ver 20. teaching them that they had planted in Gospel order to observe all things whatsoever I command you accordingly the Apostle Paul gave direction to the Churches saying As I have received of the Lord that which I delivered unto you 1 Cor. 11. 1. so we ought to be followers of him as he was of Christ accordingly he wrote to Titus to ordain Elders as saith he I have commanded thee Titus 1. 5. and say to Archippus take heed to thy ministery which thou hast received in the Lord that thou fulfill it â— Col. 4. 16. and so God will be with his People to the end of the world who follow his commands from the hands of the Apostles but some presumed into their Commission to be Apostles but being tried were found lyers Rev. 2. 1. and such were False Apostles deceitfull workers transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ 2 Cor. 11. 13. And I fear there are two many such false Apostles now a dayes So that I know no Rule from the written Word of God for any Officer as Pastor or Teacher to perform either the ordinance of Baptism or the Lords Supper out of the Stative Congregative Corporative Church or Body of Christ where they are chosen to attend Moreover I do not find in the written Word of God that any did perform the ordinance of Baptism of Water or the Lords Supper but either they had an extraordinary call from God as John Baptist and the Apostles or Ordinary called by the Church thereunto by Office so that seeing extraordinary Officers and Offices are ceased and only the ordinary remain I know no Rule from Gods Word that any Officer chosen of the Church can perform any Church Ordinance out of the Stative Assembly or Corporation any more than a Justice Constable or Bosholder have any power by virtue of their Office to perform it out of the limits set them by those who chose them into Office so that not only the Authority is given them but the limits is set them how far it reacheth and if they go beyond the bounds set them by a greater authority they break order and are transgressors and none ought to obey them and they lyable to be punished by the King Even so in Christs Kingdom and City the Officers thereof are