Christ And so of his dying for our sins and rising for our justification and offering himselfe a Sacrifice to God for us and sitting in Heaven to appeare before God and mediate for us as but a Figure a Type a Shadow and of no farther profitable use to us And with this a slighting of all the operations of the Spirit that testified of him and effected Faith Love Union Conformity from that appearance of him All which they count but fleshly and knowing Christ after the flesh how neer this is to that sinne mentioned Heb. 10.29 the very mentioning it doth declare And for those that after knowledge and warning persist in this evill they soon come to deny the very being of the body of the man Christ and the resurrection of the bodies of men that dye I suppose all that have any spark of grace remaining will look at this as a fearfull evill and it might warn to shun that practise which gives occasion of 〈◊〉 But in this I desire none to mistake me as if I affirmed such as receive a second Baptisme are necessitated to this nor yet all such as renounce the first to accept the second or that only such doe fall into this evill Not so far be it from us so to thinke or judge But in observation this some discerne that for the most part such as fall into this evill are of those that were never baptized into the knowledge and acknowledgement of the Death Resurrection and Sacrifice of Jesus Christ in the extent and vertue of it for all men and so were either zealous opposers of it or if in some sort acknowledging it a truth yet counting it but a common and light matter which yet is the Foundation as is shewn pag. 18.19 Yet mostly those of these that fall into this evill are such as before they fall into it come to renounce their first baptisme and accept a second though when they fall into it they count themselves above all ordinances and so slight their second also in respect of themselves or else such as in their judgment come to be snared with that practise and to approve it as good But conceiting Miracles of right to be done by such as Baptize they wait and seek for such like things till they conceit themselves above ordinances and then not needing it both sorts of them still approving such a practice for others it being the way to set them loose from that name into which they were at first Baptized that so slighting Scripture they may beleive them And yet still farther I desire to be noted that there are two sorts of men that maintain this practise of renouncing the first Baptisme and taking up a second First such as doe not beleeve Jesus Christ to have dyed and given himselfe a Ransome for all men or that there is any gracious life in him for them all But that Christ did this only for a certain company elect in Gods hidden Counsell from Eternity and that shall infallibly beleeve on him in time and so oppose the testimony of Scripture that saith He gave himself a ransome for all men These I know not how they can with a good conscience walking in their Faith baptize any till upon good grounds they be perswaded that they doe in heart beleeve in Jesus Christ and so are apted for renouncing their first Baptisme and taking a second though being brought to beleive they might enjoy the use of their first Baptisme and have no good grounds to renounce it and take up a second But it is meeter to reason with them and informe them about the truth of the Scripture in the extent and vertue of the Foundation Acts 18.2.3 than to contend with them about the ordinance of Baptisme in which it is no marveil though they be mis-led But there are some that doe professe to beleeve and hold forth the extent of the Ransome Oh that they would seriously without prejudice or offence-taking consider the things written for it is marveilous to me and others that any rightly understanding that businesse should deny the Baptizing of Children by Gods gracious providence put into the Tuition of such as beleeve and professe Jesus to be the Christ But yet more marveilous that any I hope there are not many will say A horse may as well be baptized as an Infant surely they will deny that to be true for a horse that they will acknowledge to be true for an Infant that Jesus Christ took their nature and dyed for their sinnes and rose for their justification and that such as we treat of are by gracious providence put under the Tuition of Christians to be brought up for God in his feare And that as John 13. They may be instructed after in this ordinance they now understand not all or any of which I hope none will say of a horse And thus have I shewn the cause of feare and griefe in such a practise yet not to cast aspersions on the person of any but to shew the evils that are so incident to such a practise neither yet to unbrother any because of such a practice unlesse such in whom the last mentioned occasionall evils appeare 1 Cor. 16.22 For it belongs not to me or others to judge any in observance of an outward Ordinance who through some appearance in Scripture to their understanding Doe that which they doe unto the Lord Rom. 14 1. to 10 Yet this I wish that in this businesse the Tenour of the Gospel and the Commission of Christ be considered and that in reasoning they would state the question right not whether Beleevers may be baptized for that none denyes but whether Beleevers that were fore-baptized in the name of the Lord are after they come to beleive to be baptized with water in the name againe and then whether children in Beleevers Tuition may not he so baptized and till they can prove the one and disprove the other by that Gospel and without taking the foresaid evill wayes cease pressing their practise on others And such as are not yet entangled to consider what is said and not suffer themselves to be snared If any say we doe and may run into as many evils I confesse we are as weak as others and so I will neither justifie my selfe nor judge them but pray for the healing of their follies and mine But whatsoever evils through weaknesse or violence of temptation I or others may be overtaken withall yet this I affirme that the remembring minding and retaining the Lords Baptisme we have received leadeth not to but preserveth from such evils For it leadeth us to acknowledge the great Love and mercy of God in the gift of his Son and testified and tendred to us in the Gospel of his Sonne into whose name we were baptized and so to count our selves engaged as by vow and solemn Covenant which since we came to use of understanding we have accepted To be the Lords to live to him to beleeve his sayings and wait for his Spirit and walk in his wayes as is fore-shewn pag. 23.24 If any say we plead thus to save our selves from trouble among men I answer what through frailty we may doe we desire to acknowledge and seeke preservation from or if overtaken healing of it But it will be no comfort to suffer for that we have no command in the word for but in our apprehensions much against it But although wee shun that practise yet if we hold forth the word of life in word and conversation acknowledging the sayings and ordinances of Christ and our Brethren witnessing against the Idolatry and evill wayes of men we shall suffer as much as they yea and with them while we acknowledge that truth which some of them with us doe hold though we urge not a second Baptisme as of old some did Circumcision to glory in the flesh and boast of another mans line withall which in our judgments would befall us in that practise Wherefore I say no more to this but the Lord make us so mindfull of him in whose name we were baptized that we may in beleiving his sayings attending his Ordinances and accepting to beare his reproach wait on him for his spirit to baptize us more and more into union and conformity with Jesus Christ in his Death that we may experiment more the vertue of his Resurrection So shall we be more separate from the world in the Idolatry Pride carnall Reasonings Superstitions Customes Fashions Vncleannesse Covetousnesse and Oppressions thereof and be found more Loving Tender and Faithfull to one another and fruitfull to the Spirit And so will our differences be healed which God of his mercy grant that we may not bite one another that so there be not a devouring nor turning any out of the way But that we may all grow in Grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Amen Your Loving though Vnworthy Brother THOMAS MOORE FINIS
the world That Whosoever beleeveth in him may not perish but have everlasting lise Joh. 3 14 15 16 17. In this also is the Name of God even of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost displayed Psal 138.2 Deut 32.2.3 And this is the prime or chief Ministerial way of baptizing into Christ As appeares plainly in these things First That the Commission given Matth. 28.19 20 where Baptizing is given as the medium of Discipling and there onely put in that name in all other places it is given in these tearms of preaching the Gosp l Mark 16.15 and declaring his Name to such an end as the effecting of that which is Baptisme indeed Acts 9.15 18 17 18 22 23. Secondly When Jesus Christ opened the understanding of his Disciples to understand the things in the Scripture that concerned himself Luk 24.27.44.45 which they were to declare Act. 26.27.18 22 23. Was not then this That which they were helped to understand that Thus it is written and Thus it behoved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day and so to enter into his glory Luk. 24 45 46.25.26 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all Nations and this expressely said to be that which Christ and his Apostles were witnesses of Luk. 24.47 48. And to which witnessing the promise of the Spirit is given Luke 24.49 and so the same that is in that Commission Mathew 28. verse 19 20. Thirdly The Apostles did performe the Commission given them in so preaching Christ and repentance and remission of sins in his name Acts 2. and 3. and 8. and 10. and 13.38 46. yea not only when they baptized with water but also when they did not that themselves 1 Cor. 1.14 17. Fourthly As Jesus Christ set forth in the Gospell is the Fountain set forth to wash in for sin and uncleannesse Zach. 13.1 And the love of God extended in the gift of him and through his bleed is pure water John 3.5.16 Rev. 5. with Ezek. 36.25 26. And the streams of spirit and grace proceeding from him is as a river and streams of pure water Psal 46 4 5. Rev. 22.1 2. even so the Word and Doctrine of the Gospell is compared to water Deut. 32 1 2 3. Isa 48.1 2. and 55.1 and by that men prest to wash and cleanse their hearts and wayes Isa 1.16 17. Jer. 4.14 Yea it being put to the question Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way It s answered Psal 119.9 By taking heed thereto according to thy word so that the Word or Gospell to be one mean of baptising is clearly held forth in the Scripture and Commission given by Christ If any object and say But this hath not been called baptising I answer It was the same thing for washing and cleansing first but not so called till the ordinance of baptising with water was given from Heaven and so God is nurtering the people to the acknowledgement of Moses Exod. 14. was never called Baptising them unto Moses but being the same businesse in effect and for such an end since the ordinance of baptising with water was given even that work is called baptising 1 Cor. 10.1 2. But yet to be plainer Fifthly The Doctrine of the Gospell with the teaching thereof is encluded in that word Baptisme and also called Baptisme in the writings of the Evangelists so Mark 1.3 John did baptise in the wildernesse and preach the Baptisme of repentance for the remission of sins And Luke 3.2 3. The Word of God came unto John the Son of Zacharias in the wildernesse and he came into all the country about Jordan preaching the baptisme of repentance for the remission of sins It is plain to such as shut not their eyes of purpose to cavill That the word of the Lord which came to John that he received and that he preached and what that was is laid open both in the prophesie of him Isa 49.3 4 5 6 7 8 c. and both Prophesie and explication of that former Prophesie by his father Luke 1.76 79. and also in the affirming of his own performance Math. 3.1 2. In those dayes came John the baptist preaching in the wildernesse of Judea and saying repent yee for the Kingdome of Heaven is at hand Search the places and all the Scriptures speaking of this businesse and is it not plain that he declared Christ to be come in the flesh to be the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world and so that the Kingdome of God was nigh and he that is John was not the Christ but that he the Christ was to come after him in ministration and on that ground exhorted them to repentance and to believe on him that should come after him in whom they should receive forgivenesse c. And then baptising with water as a testimony of the truth of his Doctrine he did after preach and call for amendment and fruits meet for repentance promising That he that came after him should baptize with the holy Ghost and with fire and purge his floor c. Though the Death Resurrection Ascension and Mediation of Christ he did not so fully set forth as it is since set forth nor set forth the person of Christ who and which man he was till Jesus was baptized and Johns own Ministration towards an end Mat. 3. Mark 1. Luke 3. John 1. and 3. Acts 13.24.25 And this his preaching the Gospell and baptising with water was called his baptisme and his preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins And so when our Saviour Christ did question the cheif Preists and Elders of the Jewes whence the baptisme of John was They reasoned with themselues saying If we shall say from Heaven he will say unto us why did you not then beleeve him Mat. 21.25 which beleeving must needs have reference to his Doctrine And thus Paul affirming John verily to have baptized with the baptisme of repentance he describes it in both the parts The Doctrine thus saying unto the people that they should beleeve on him that should come after him that is on Christ Jesus and his baptising with water thus and when they that is the people heard this they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Acts 19.4 5. And so it is said of Apollos that was mighty in the Scriptures Acts 18.25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord being fervent in Spirit he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord knowing only the Baptism of John and surely that he spake and taught was that which he knew even the Baptisme of John and Aquilla and Prescilla expounding to him the way of God more perfectly doth evince that they shewed him the way of the Lord as it is more fully revealed since the ascenscion of Christ by his Spirit in the Doctrin of the Gospel then it was in the baptisme or preaching-Gospel before by John so
that it al the way appeareth that since the ordinance of baptising with water was given from heaven the name of baptisme was put on the preaching the Doctrine of the Gospell Yea surely however the word baptizing is oft used for baptizing with elementary water in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ yet its hard for any to shew and prove that the word Baptisme in any place doth not enclude also baptizing or instructing with the word which is likewise a spirituall water Was not their comming to his Baptisme a comming to hear and be instructed by him as well as to be baptized with elementary water Math. 3.7 And was not their being baptized with the Baptisme of John a being instructed by him as well as being baptized with elementary water how else came that fruit of it that in hearing Christ they justified God Luke 7.29 But to proceed a little farther Sixthly One end and efficacy of Baptisme yea the end is affirmed to be wrought by the Word or Doctrine of the Gospell as the instrument and medium displaying the name of the Lord and so our Saviour said to his Disciples John 15.3 Ye are clean through the word that I have spoken to you And so the Apostle saith to beleevers 1 Cor. 6.11 Yee are washed yee are sanctified yee are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the spirit of our God And is not the setting forth Christ in Gospell preaching affirmed to be for such ends Acts 3.26 and 14.15 and 17.30 31. and 26.17 18 22 23. So that its clear That the Word or Gospell is one medium of baptizing and by which Baptisme into Christ is effected and encluded in the name of Baptisme and so called as other mediums or means are yea to say no more but as the truth is the plain and full preaching the Gospell setting forth Christ and him crucified is the chief the most necessary profitable and constantly usefull of all outward means for baptizing into Christ and so into his death c. as appears by the plain evidence of Scriptures By this faith Rom. 10 14.17 By this the Spirit received Gal. 3.1 2 3 5. In this the power of God extended Rom. 1.16 and through this the Baptisme is by Spirit effected 1 Cor. 6.11 Acts 26.18 And the receit of this testimony hath present blessing and future hope 1 Thess 2.13 2 Thess 1.10 Yea Paul that blessed God and counted it great grace that he preached Gospell to many yet thanks God that he baptized few with water 1 Cor. 1.14 But I shall for bear to say farther of this medium 2. Water elementary water to be applyed by being dipped or plunged in or washed with as a testimony of the truth of the Gospell taught in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ which also is the name of the Father and the Son and the holy Ghost That it is to be in or rather into that name is evident by the Commission given by Christ Mat. 28.19 and the practise of John Baptist the fore-runner Acts 19.4 5. and the Apostles and followers of Christ Acts 3.38 and 10.48 and the end which is for baptizing into Christ Rom. 6.3 That it was with elementary water is evident Mat. 3.11 16. Mar. 1.8 Luke 3.16 Joh. 1.31 3. and 3.22 23. Act. 8 36.39 and 10.47 48. That it be by dipping in or washing with is evident by the Word and all the places cited But how often to be dipped or washed whether the whole body or what part and how much or in what manner there is no plain and expresse type either by command or example and the word baptize signifies washing as well as dipping and is so used in evangelicall writings though also there be another word rantizing used for rensing besides that at which it aimeth and to which it instructeth even the main businesse is called washing Rev. 1.5 and sprinkling Heb. 12.24 1 Pet. 1.2 A baptizing into Christ into his death so as one be risen with him and have put him on through the faith of the operation of God Rom. 6.3 4 5. Coll. 2.11 12 13 14. Gall. 3.26 27. Now precisely to limit an outwaard businesse to a certain measure where the spirit hath left freedome to necessity safety and conveniency is to streighten the wayes of the Lord more then himself hath done which is much to be reproved with that in Job 4.17 But this that one be baptized with water by being put in or under water by dipping in it or washing with it as a Testimony of the truth of the Gospell report and so in the name of the Father Sonne and Holy Ghost This is an ordinance of the Gospell A Medium of baptizing into Christ And being professedly done in the name of the Lord it is verily outward Baptisme and an ordinance of the Lord whether it were done by a Minister of the Gospell or any attendant of such Yea and though it be very evill and sinfull in him that administreth it unholily and mixeth mens Traditions with it and evill also in such as accept and approve thereof Yet if the baptizing be as is said the Baptisme is Baptisme still and the evils of men and not the Lords Baptisme to be repented of As may also be seen in that former and first outward Ordinance given for testifying the truth of the Gospell and admitting into the Family of Abraham even Circumcision that did precede Baptisme I suppose it will be confessed by all to be a wrong and an exceeding evill end that Jacobs Sons had in perswading the Shechemites to Circumcision c. Gen. 34.13.17 c. Yet when good old Jacob cursed their cruelty and murder in killing them he faulted not the Circumcision of them but intimately acknowledged it in that he saith They digged downe a wall or houghed the Oxe Which implyes that had they not been slain they had been one People with them and a defence and help Gen. 49.5 6. And if there could have been an errour in respect of the persons acting then surely it might have been in the Shechemites circumcising themselves Gen. 34.24 Or in Zipporah circumcising her child in her Husbands presence Exod. 4.25 Yet was that true Circumcision And for distemper of mind dissembling in word and blasphemy while one is exhorting to acting or using any Ordinance of God it is grossely evill I am sure and to be reproved and repented Yet the dissembling of Jacobs Sonnes Gen. 34.13 c. nor the blasphemy of Zipporah did not make null Circumcision then used Exod. 4.25 26. And for time whereas Circumcision of the home-born should have been on the eight day after birth yet by occasion being neglected by some neere thirty eight years Yet was their Circumcision then approved of God himselfe Josh 5.5.9 And indeed if any corruption of manners in Administrators could make null such an Ordinance of God done outwardly or professedly for or according to his command Then Circumcision used by them that worshipped Baal
what grounds this ordinance of baptizing with water in the name of the Lord is to be administred And this appeares in the Commssion with the ground thereof Mat 28.18 19. And the Tenor of the Gospel John 3.14 15 16 17. Mark 1.16 with the residue of scripture to be these viz. 1. The certainty given in the Gospel of a peace reconciliation and redemption wrought by Jesus Christ in his Death Resurrection and Sacrifice offered to God for all men and his good will to have it made known and tendered to thema ll This is the ground both of preaching Gospell to them 1 Tim. 2 4-7 And of baptizing any of them with water Acts 18.8 1 Cor. 2.13 15.4 as is already shewne in pag. 14 15 16. And he that hath not certainty in this runs at an uncertainty in his ministration which Paul would not in any thing 1 Cor. 9.26 2. The perscription of such as are to be baptized with water to be subdued or brought into or under the instruction or tuition of such as have accepted the Doctrine of the Gospel and make profession of it which men of understanding and at their owne dispose be not nor can be so judged till they be found willing to heare and to be instructed in the Doctrine of the Gospel Mat. 3. John 4.1 2. Acts 8. 18.8 But children not come to the use of understanding are so and so to be accounted from the gracious providence of God putting them in the Family and into the charge and under the care and tuition of such whether by birth or other providenciall way Gen. 17.12 13. Acts 16.15 But of this more anon 3. The command of Jesus Christ in his Commission given to his Disciples to goe disciple all Nations baptizing them baptizing being both with word and water neither to be prest violently and where the tender of the Gospel is not rejected the baptizing with word and water are of the same extent And so the report of the Gospel the work of God in putting under the uition of such as have accepted and doe professe the Gospell and the command of Christ to disciple all Nations baptizing them is the ground and bottome upon which this baptisme is to be administred As for such as are to be baptized to confesse their sins and professe their faith it is good in such as are come to the use of understanding before they be baptized Yet though it be an encouragement it is not the ground and to them that think it so it is but partiall and fallible But that set down before is the Ground and whole and constant and sure to administer one as will yet more clearely appear anon 3. For the third thing considerable viz. To what ends this ordinance of baptizing with water is to be administred and that is 1. To be an outward and sensible Testimony of the truth of the Gospel preached both in that there in affirmed to be already done by Christ for men and also in the hope set forth therein for beleevers and so of the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost set forth thereby Jesus his giving this ordinance to be administred is a testimony of his faithfull mind and the truth of the faith and Gospel given to preach And so when John preached the Gospel baptizing and preaching the baptisme of repentance for the remission of sinnes Mark 1.3 4. He is said to have truly baptized with water as witnessing verily the truth Acts 1.5 And so as all the Scripture Moses the Law and all Types foregoing so all the ordinances of the Gospel doe testifie of Christ John 5.39 to 44. Rom. 3.21 1 Cor. 11.26 As Abraham received the signe of Circumcision as a seale of the righteonsnesse of the faith he had c. that he might be the Father Abraham his receiving the sign was not simply his being circumcised for so were all his family but his receiving that or dinance to administer as a seal of the righteousnesse of the faith it s not said which all he circumcised had nor of the truth of his own beleeving but of the righteousnesse of the faith that is the Gospel God preached to him which he had to preach to his Family and so to be a sensible testimony that he might be the Father of all that beleeve Gen. 15. 17. with Rom. 4.11 Even so also the Apostles received this ordinance to testifie withall to such an end and so it is given as the Medium of discipling in the Commission Mat. 28.19 2. To receive into Gods Family or the Family of Christ or Abraham and so to engage the baptized to yeild up to and wait on God in the acknowledgment of his great name and observance of all his ordinances and the things he hath already commanded by Jesus Christ to his Apostles And so as Circumcision discipled into Abrahams Family and bound to the Law after given by Moses baptisme disciples into the same family of God and binds to beleive and observe the sayings and commands of Christ fore-given in the Gospel and this is cleare in the Commission Mat. 28.19 1 Cor. 1 13.-15 And in that baptisme is into his name and no other 3. To set or lay before them the hope that is set forth in the new Testament confirmed by the death of Christ for his baptizing them with the Holy Ghost and so sending forth spirit to teach and write his sayings and Law in their hearts Mat. 3.11 Acts 1.4 5. Luke 24 46 to 49. c. as pag. 11.12 And so by witnessing the truth of the Gospel accepting and engaging them into the Family of God and setting such hope before them they may disciple them that so in beleeving they may throughly repent and lay hold on Christ and therein receive remission of sinnes and spirit to lead a new life And thus is this baptisme unto repentance and to be received for the remission of sinnes Mat. 3.11 Mark 1.4 Acts 2.38 Neither as some vainly glosse it causaliter that it should cause it nor declaratively as if it did verily declare remission of sinnes received But as a Medium of comming into Chrrist that in beleeving it may be received And these are the ends of administration and not such as in which this ordinance is made like the Types of the Law to have a sensible and visible figure or resemblance of Christ in the manner of his death and resurrection and conforming us to him for which no word that conformity being the work of his Spirit by word and afflictions 4. For the fourth thing considerable viz. Who are the subjects capable of this ordinance of being baptized with water in the name of the Lord and so may have it administred to them And that is expresse in the command and commission given by Jesus Christ to the Apostles Mat. 28.19 To be all Nations that were not fore-discipled and refuse not in the tender of the Gospel to them