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
Israel of God indeed Exod. 19.4 8. And this work is since baptising in use called a baptising unto Moses and so gives us to understand That baptising into Christ signifieth A bringing into such an acknowledgement of him as at first said Namely 1. To bring in to the understanding and acknowledgement of Jesus to be the Christ the Son of God the Gift of God the man the Mediator That having once dyed for our sins and risen for our justification and offered himself a sacrifice to God hath obtained redemption and received spirit to send forth and so is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world the Saviour of the world the Prophet and Mediator of the new Testament Joh. 4.10 42. and 6.62 69. 1 Joh. 5.1 19 20. 2. In that understanding and acknowledgement of Jesus Christ to cleave to him in faith and love and so to depend on him and yeeld to him for teaching guidance comfort preservation c. Joh. 6.68 69. 1 Pet. 1. ver 21. 3. In that understanding of and adhering to Christ to be wrought on to more onenesse with and conformity to him and imitation of him 2 Cor. 3.3.18 Ephes 5.1 2. And so is this baptising a washing with or plunging or putting into Christ and so into union and fellowship with Christ yea and with the Members of Christ Rom. 6.3 4 Gal. 3.27 Col 2.12 with 1 Cor. 12.13 So that in this baptising into Christ it 's plain by Scripture There is First An ingrafting or putting into Christ by spirituall evidence and power effecting faith in and love to Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 1.21 1 Corinth 1. verse 30. Secondly A washing with his blood or in his love commended through the blood of Christ in which he washeth and cleanseth from their sins Rev. 1.5 Zach. 13.1 Rom 5.8 10. Tit. 3.4 5 And that both in respect of the guilt of sin in conscience Act. 10 43. Rom. 5.1 1 Cor. 6.11 as also in respect of the corrupt disposition in nature Ephes 5.26 Tit. 3.4 5 6. Thirdly A sprinkling with the vertue of his blood 1 Pet. 1.2 Heb 12 24. and that both in respect of speaking peace and freeing from the law of sin and death Heb. 12 24. Rom. 7.4 5. and 8.2 as also of sealing to the day of redemption Ephes 4.30 And all this is contained in being baptized into Christ Compare 1 Cor 10.1 2. with Rom 6.3 2 For the second thing What this Baptisme comprehendeth in it and it appeares by that already said That it containes in it An ingrafting into Christ and Vnion with him and Conformity to him And so a Being cloathed with him and under his Government and protection Rom. 6.3 Gal. 3.27 And so it is evident that it comprehends in it 1 All that Circumcision did formerly for testifying the faith or righteousnesse of God for admission into the family of Christ for instructing to spirituall Circumcision and spirituall Circumcision it selfe with all Son-like priviledges appertaining thereto And hence the Apostles affirming beleivers compleat in Christ takes away all that might be objected for want of Circumcision saying In whom yee are also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands in putting off the body of the sinnes of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ buryed with him in Baptisme wherein also you are rison c. Col. 2.10 11 12. with Phil. 3.3.10 2. The whole scope of the Comission given by Jesus Christ to the Apostles for discipling with word and water for admission into the family of Christ in the name of the Father and the Sonne and the Holy Ghost instructing in the wayes of God and his presence with them therein as appeares by comparing Mat. 28.19 20. with Mark 16.15.16 Luk. 24.45 46 47 Act. 26 17 18 22 23. 3. The new Birth it selfe that is from above of water and the spirit it being the same mentioned in Baptisme Rom. 6.3 4. Gal. 3.27 Col. 2.12 13 14. That is set forth Iohn 3.3.5 Rom. 5.8.10 Tit. 3.4 5 6. 4. It containes in it all that was typed out in the washings cleansings and purifyings in the Law by which men were fitted to come to and partake of the holy things as Temple Altar Sacrifices c. Levit. 15.31 22.6 2 Cor. 30.17.18 So in this baptizing or washing are men made meet to enter the Kingdome c. Ioh. 3.3.5 Col. 3.12.13 2.12.14 1 Cor. 6.10.11 5. It containes in it the Sealing or marking to the day of Redemption which was typed in that sprinkling Exod. 12.7.13 Ezek 9.4 Ephes 4.30 6. It containes in it that very work in discovery of emptinesse and vanity reproving vaine confidences leading to selfe-deniall and dying to earthly and fleshly desires conteuts c. all by displaying the excellencies of Christ So that in yielding up thereto men are preserved raised and quickned And in offence taking thereat and rebelling ther-against men perish and in passing through this work men come into Christ and are baptized into him 1 Cor. 10.1 2. And such as stumble and rebell are overthrowne as the Egyptians in the Sea Pro. 1.22 23 24. Ezek. 24.9.13 Joh 3.19 20 21. Phil. 3.3.9.10 Rom 6.3 4. 7. It hath in it that hope that will as Noahs Ark carry above all waters in temptations and troubles 1 Pet. 3.22 Mar. 16.16 In a word to be baptized into Christ is to be made in him and partaker of the benefit of his death and resurrection and conformed to him so as one be indeed dead to sinne selfe world and alive to God through Jesus Christ And so Baptisme is indeed that fore-mentioned work of Grace in a Beleiver comprehending all that aforesaid 3 For the third thing Why or upon what occasion this name Baptisme is put upon this work of God and how long it hath been so called And this appeares in Scripture to be from an outward ordinance given by God for baptizing with water in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ as a testimony of the truth of the Gospell preached and an instruction to submission to Christ confessing of him and waiting for spirituall baptizing into Christ from him And since that ordinance given the worke of grace in the heart hath been so called In the beginning the work of God in the heart was called Faith or a seeing the promises afar off being perswaded and embracing them and confessing thâ—mselves strangers Heb. 11.1 2.6.13 And these withall under their tuition and joyned with them in profession were called sonnes of God Gen. 6 2.4 And those that were upright or through amongst them were called righteous or just Heb. 11.2 4. 2 Pet. 2.7 but not Israel But after Jacob had with weeping and supplication prevailed with God and was by him called Israel and a people come forth of him or by proseliting brought in to him Hos 12.4 Gen 32.28 Then all of that Family were called Israel Israelites and the house of Israel Though they were also still called the sonnes of God
them and theirs yet then those and onely those that were borne of the promise were the Israel of God and Israelites indeed Rom. 9.6.8 Joh. 1.47 And yet these also called just and righteous still also So also the work of God in the heart was never called Circumcision till after God had given an ordinance of Circumcision to Abraham and that it was administred on that Family to testifie the truth of the faith Abraham taught to admit them into his Family and to instruct them to attend on God to circumcise their hearts to love him Gen. 17. Deut. 10.16 30.2 6. Yet then the people of Israel they and all theirs were also called circumcision Rom. 15.8 Though the work of grace in the heart to which the ordinance instructed was Circumcision indeed and from thence so called Rom. 2.28 29. So since Jesus Christ hath suffered in the flesh and overcome death and carried our nature into heaven remaining there the Christ the great High Priest Prophet and King who will one day come againe and take his great Power and Reigne now making those that beleive on him spirituall Priests c. Those that believe on him have been called Christians Acts 11.26 26.28 1 Pet. 4.16 Not but they are also called the Sonnes of God and Israel and Gods people still but now also Christians And all outwardly baptized in and professing the name of Christ are so called But those that are borne a new of water and the spirit that beleive with the heart unto righteousnesse these are the Christians indeed the children of the promise the seed of Abraham the Israel of God indeed Joh. 3.3.5 Rom. 9.8 Gal. 3.26.29 6.16 Even so since the ordinance of baptizing with water in the name of the Lord Jesus was in use the work of Grace in the heart is called Baptisme Rom. 6.3 4 5. Col 2.12 13 14. Gal. 3.26 27. Not but that it s still also called Faith new Birth Circumcision c. but it s also called Baptisme 4 For the fourth thing That this gracious work of God in the heart this inward and spirituall Baptisme though it hath had its denomination from the use of the outwand Baptizing yet is this inward and spirituall work the Baptisme indeed that which profiteth which hath the priviledges in it and promises to it as appeareth plainly and plentifully in the Scriptures 1 By the Apostles Testimony of Circumcision which was an ordinance given of God to Abraham when he made the ever lasting Covenant with him and gave him the Gospell to preach as Baptisme given of Christ to the Apostles when he commanded them to preach the Gospell to all the world And the Apostle speaking of such Jewes as were circumcised when Circumcision was in force and profitable to the keepers of the Law yet he saith Rom. 2.28 29. He is not a Jew that 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 And the same may be said of Baptisme For 2. Whereas Baptizing with water in the name of the Lord Jesus putteth away the filth of the flesh or outward slain of Gentilisme as outward Circumcision did put away the reproach of Egypt Josh 5.8 9 The Apostle saith plainly of it 1 Pet. 3.21 Baptisme doth also now save us not the putting away the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience toward God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ Agreeing with that mentioned Col. 2.12 which is wrought by the faith of the operation of God 3. It appears also That this spirituall baptisme was the end of the Apostles preaching Gospell and calling on their hearers to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus both in that they counsel to it for the remission of sins and that they might in beleeving on Christ receive remission of sins and also the gift of the Holy Ghost As likewise in that saying at one time Acts 2.38 Repent and be baptized every one of you in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins He saith the same at another time in these words Acts 3.19 Repent ye therefore and be converted that your sinnes may be blotted out c. 4. It yet further appears in that the Apostle writing to the Churches of whom there is no doubt or question made but they were all baptized with water in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and none blamed for want of that yet the Apostle speaks to them with a caution and distinction Rom. 6.3 Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death c. And again Gal. 3.27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ Which as it leaves a jealousie of some so it evidenceth All that by faith are not become the sons of God and be not baptized into the death of Jesus Christ and risen with him through the faith of the operation of God and have so put on Christ They have not yet been baptized into Christ and so have not the baptisme which is the Baptisme indeed and so set out by the Apostle Rom. 6.3 4 5. Gal. 3.26 27 29. Col. 2.10.11 12 13 14. 5. It yet further appeares in that as the Apostles have set forth this baptisme to be into Christ and that into the Death of Christ for participation of the vertue of his Resurrection and this by the faith of the operation of God so as a man is become dead with Christ to the world c. and risen with Christ dead to sin and alive to God and so one with Christ and in him that he is one with the Members of Christ baptized by one spirit into one body 1 Cor. 12.13 Even so hath the Apostle plainly affirmed That as there is one Body and one Spirit as we are called in one hope of our calling one Lord one Faith one Baptisme He makes no more kinds of Baptisme then of Faith yea then of God and Christ And thus we see what Baptisme is and that there is but one Baptisme though the things or mediums are waies by which it is effected are many and in that sense may be called Baptismes of which I will treat a little now to shew 2. What the Mediums Means or things used in this Baptisme and by which it is effected are These appear to be four 1. The Word 2 Water 3. The Holy Spirit 4. Afflictions 1. The word or Gospell which sets forth Jesus Christ and him crucified Gal 3.1 In opening of which Jesus Christ is lift up and set forth as the Son of God and the Son of man that hath dyed for our sins and is risen for our justification and hath received Spirit to send forth and is the propitiation for our sins the Saviour of
Spirit all his sufferings may be in vain Gall. 3.4 So as if a man be not overcome by the grace and spirit of Christ in and by these mediums to onenes with Christ and conformity to him in some measure he is yet short of that which is Baptisme indeed in which happinesse and to which the Promises belong Truth it is God may be said truly to have baptized because he hath done it by his Servants and these mediums and made them efficatious in opening their eyes to see and moving their very heart but they closing their eyes and hardning their heart in not yeelding up to the power and opperations of his grace so as to have the scum cast off and to be closed with and conformed to Jesus may yet in respect of the receit and blessing be truly said not to be baptized as is foreshewn in the first and second pages And thus I have as plainly as I can with so much brevity shewn what the Baptisme is that is so much commended in the Scripture and what the mediums of baptizing are and of what use that we may not mistake one for another nor confound all in one without distinction and so make a confusion but that knowing all aright we may know how and when we are baptized into Christ and how far and not rest short of that But though the knowledge hereof might be usefull many wayes yet that for which I have written this is principally at this time for information about one of the mediums of baptizing about which it is greivous to consider the differences and diffentions among brethren yea what judging unbrothering and separating from one another and that is about baptizing with water in the name of the Lord Jesus or which is all one In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost which is before shewn to be an ordinance of Jesus Christ as a medium of discipling to and baptizing into Christ and so called Baptisme And now minding what hath already been said of this and all the other meniums and so of the one Baptiime effected by them all I will put to consideration in this 1. What this Ordinance of Baptizing with water in the Name of the Lord is 2. Vpon what ground it is to to be administred 3. To what ends it is to be administred 4. Who are the subjects of of it to whom it may be administred 1. For the first What this Ordinance of Baptizing with Water c. is It is an Ordinance of Jesus Christ Annexed to the ministration of the Gospel as it s now declared since the Death Resurrection and Ascention of Jesus Christ and his sending forth the Holy Ghost for testifying the truth of the Gospel and engaging the Disciples to attend to the Gospel and Ordinances thereof waiting for Christ to baptize them with the Holy Ghost and so receiving them into the family of Christ by Baptizing them with water In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost And this appears in the Commission given Matth. 28.19 That it is an Ordinance of Jesus Christ is there expresse vers 18 19 That it is annexed unto the ministration of the Gospel is evident in that the Commission is for Gospel Preaching vers 19.20 with Mark 16.15 and Luk. 24 46.47 That it is annexed to it as it is now revealed since the Ascension of Jesus Christ c. It is evident in that they were not to go forth with this Commission till they received the Holy Ghost and were endued with power from on high Luke 24 47-49 Acts 1.4.5 That it was for testifying the truth of the Gospel and engaging the baptized c. is evident In that it is to be in or into the Name of c. and so before John truely baptized with water Acts 1.5 So circumcision before was a seale of the righteousuesse of faith which Abrabam had before received That in Preaching it he might testifie by circumcision that he might be the Father c. Rom. 4.11 That it be done with Water is also evident in the Commission For though water be not named yet it appears to be encluded and meant That Baptisme with affliction is not meant as given in Commission to his Disciples to administer though afflictions are Metaphorically called water also But his Disciples are to serve one another in love and not to bite and aflict they are either the providence of God bringing correction as need is Heb. 12. or the enemies of truth that afflict and persecute Mat. 10. And it is the gracious work of Christ himself to order and sanctifie them and make them means of humbling purging baptizing and conforming to Christ as is foreshewn parge 12 13. Also for baptizing with the holy Ghost though that also be pure spirituall and living water yet is it not meant in the commission as given in charge to the Servants of Christ to administer for that is Christ his own work as is foreshewn page 12 13. And endeed Baptizing with the holy Ghost and blessing afflictions that they may help to baptize into Christ is encluded in the promise to the Servants of Christ discharging their commission in those words vers 20 And lo I am with you alway even to the end of the world as is evident comparing it with Mark 16.16 17. Luk. 24.45.49 John 14.16 18. But baptizing with the Word and Gospel which is spirituall water is meant as that which is principally given in charge in the commission as is foresnewn page 6 7 8. And yet that water is encluded is clear but not alone from Johns baptizing with water for that might have been though in the Baptisme given by Christ after his resurrection no clementary water were used but only Word and Spirit wherein also that might be fulfilled Mark 1.7 8. Acts 1.4 5. So that the allegation of Johns baptizing with elementary water would be forcelesse to urge it meant in this commission if there were no more to prove it nor would it make it cleer and evident that baptizing with elementary water is meant in the commission if there were no more to prove it but adding to the Baptists practise the example of the Aposties baptizing with elementary water after the ascension of Christ for so for a time they did use circumcision also and why not the ordinance given to the fore-runner of Christ for a time though it had not been for continuance more then circumcision nor will this help or add to the force of the argument to alledge that Mar 16.16 For 1. That is not the Commission the Commission is given vers 15. Go preach the Gospel c. Now the beginning of vers 16. is the Promise and hope set before the Preachers of the Gospell viz. That he that beleeveth to wit the Gospel and is baptized shall be saved so that is promise not precept 2. To baptize with water is no more mentioned in Mark 16.6 then in Mat.
28.19 though encluded 3. It is not said he that is not baptized shall be damned as he that beleiveth not 4. Simon Magus beleeved Philip preaching the Gospell and was baptized with water sure in the name of the Lord Jesus and yet not saved Acts 8.13 So that some farther baptizing is there meant so that all hitherto if there were no more to be added to it would be too weak to prove baptizing with elementary water to be still in force Besides against this might be objected That All our Fathers were under the cloud and were all baptized to Moses in the cloud and in the Sea 1 Cor. 10.1.2 Yet but only those that came out of Egypt with Moses passed through the Sea and the following Generations were not carried in their persons back again to have the Sea againe divided and be lead through but as they were of them and one and the same Church and kept these wonders in beleeving remembrance they were also baptized unto Moses brought to acknowledge him a man of God and those Gods Lawes that were given by him and so did there rejoyce in God Psal 66.6 As in a like businesse the same is said Hos 12.4 Even so it might be said that the baptizing with water at the beginning accompanied with those miracles and visible gifts of the Holy Ghost did baptize the Nations unto the acknowledgment of Jesus to be the Christ But that the after generations that come to the same faith and so are of the same Church are interessed in what was done to them and in beleeving remembrance of those wonders are baptized unto the acknowledgment of Jesus to be the Christ and so rejoyce in him according to that 1 Cor. 3.22 23. And though this be true usefull and of force in some respects yet the truth is it is of no force to deny the use of elementary water in baptizing to be included in the Commission given by Christ but rather strengthens the acknowledgment of it and now to shew that water is included let it bee considered 1. That the instructing with the Word the work of the Holy Ghost in the heart and the sanctifying afflictions to such gracious helpfulnes was never called baptizing or baptisme till the outward ordinance of baptizing with water was first given and then they are so called As after the giving the ordinance of Circumcision the work of grace in the heart by word or affliction was called Circumcision and not before So the ordinance of Circumcision whence that gracious work had such a denomination was an ordinance to continue till compleated in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ And likewise the ordinance of baptizing with water whence the work of grace in the heart by Word Spirit and Afflictions hath had such a denomination as baptisme is to continue till it be compleated in the glorious and visible appearing of Jesus Christ and the resurrection of the Saints when also will be the end of the world mentioned in the promise and not before As for Gods working on the peoples hearts in leading them through the Sea to bring them to acknowledge Moses to be a man of God c. That was no outward ordinance given to the people to use but Gods own work upon them and yet not called by the name of baptizing till the ordinance of baptizing with water in the name of Christ was in use which confirmes the continuance of that ordinance till Jesus Christ come again as is shewen p. 5.6 2. Our Saviour would not speak as a Barbarian to his Disciples for those led by his spirit would not so speak 1 Cor. 14.15 to 19. Now baptizing with water was that which they had been acquainted with and the other not yet so fully understood by them Now though there was more in his words which the Spirit in his comming gave them to understand John 14.26 Yet that which they did understand should not be in his words in giving such a commission to them is derogatory to our Saviour to imagine Pro. 8 6 7 8 9. And 3. The word baptizing is cleare to be after used for baptizing with water when water is not there mentioned and that not only when baptizing is spoke of as distinct from preaching the Gospel that is preferred before it 1 Cor. 1 1â—.17 But also where the distinction is not in such a manner exprest Acts 2.38.41 8.12 13.16 16.15.33 18.8 And 4. These three former considered and found true then the Apostles practise in discharge of their Commission besides preaching Gospell baptizing with water in the name of the Lord Acts 8.36 10.47 Yea. and John Baptist also baptizing with water doth with the former proofes clear it up and evidence that elementary water is to be used in this ordinance of baptisme and is included in the Commission Mat. 28.19 And also in the promise Mark 16.16 But now how much or how little water or in what manner or how much dipped or washed is left in some measure to conveniency necessity and safety in the judgment of the Church there being no precept nor plain and evident example for it True we find two examples where water enough was of going into the water and comming out of the water but we find no mention either that they stripped themselves to goe in or how farre they went in or how much they were dipped or washed being in Yea of our Saviour it is affirmed he was praying when he came forth and as he was praying the Holy Ghost descended on him Mat. 3.16 Luke 3.21 22. And it being a custome in those Countries for many to goe bare-legged and to wear Sandals they might goe in to the knee But neither their going in nor comming forth was their baptizing For Jesus when he was baptized came straightway out of the water Mat. 3.16 Mark 1.9.10 And as for the Eunuch Philip as well as he went downe into the water And then Philip baptized him and then they came both out of the water Acts 8.38 39. But no mention of the stripping of either or their cloathing againe bâ—â— of the Spirit taking away Philip so soon as they came out of the water whicâ— implyes no such stripping besides elsewhere it rather appeares that for others water was commanded to be fetched Acts 10.47 48. So that dipping or washing with water is enough most probable the head or face but I will here for beare the reasons for that enough is said before of this pag. 8 9 10 To shew that in profession of Jesus to be the Christ to baptize any of Adams race that refuse it not with water professedly in the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost is the performance of the outward ordinance of baptisme and one so baptized is outwardly and once baptized indeed Nor can the addition by the Baptizer of some humane inventions make the ordinance null as is aforesaid 2. For the second thing considerable viz. Vpon