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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A52394	Baptism discovered plainly & faithfully according to the word of God. Wherein is set forth the glorious pattern of our blessed saviour Jesus Christ, the pattern of all believers in his subjection to baptism. Together, with the example of thousands who were baptized after they believed. By John Norcott, late servant of Jesus Christ, and of his church. The third edition, corrected by Will. Kiffin, and Rich. Claridge. With an appendix by another hand.	Norcott, John, d. 1676.; Claridge, Richard, 1649-1723.; Kiffin, William, 1649-1723.	1694 (1694)	Wing N1227A; ESTC R213780	25,797	77

this Truth viz. Believers Baptism as it was practised by Christ and the Primitive Churches my great Request to thee is That thou wilt read what is said without prejudice And whatever thou findest according to Truth receive as that which is more precious than thy Life and judge of it according to the Holy Scriptures for when all is said that can be they 〈◊〉 be Judge in all Controversies of 〈…〉 And as Christ is the Foundation 1 Cor. 2.11 upon which whoever buildeth shall never be confounded I shall therefore take a few Observations concerning Christ his being baptized and herein you may take notice how exact the Holy Scriptures are to set down the Circumstances of his Baptism CHAP. I. Christ was Baptized in the River of Jordan COncerning the Baptism of Jesus Christ you may read it at large Mat. 3.13 c. Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John to be Baptized of him Every word hath Emphasis then before he entred upon his publick Ministry as you see in Mat. 4.17 From that time Jesus began to preach cometh he might have commanded John to have attended him but in token of his subjection he cometh from Galilee many miles 't is likely on foot every step we take for God is acceptable and one day shall have a Glorious Reward to Jordan where there was a River where Thousands had been Baptized and was a suitable place for John to dip Christ in as will be seen hereafter Now I shall take notice of eight things concern the Baptism of Christ First Concerning his Age 't is said Luk. 3.21 Jesus being baptized ver 23. began to be about thirty years of Age here you see that Christ himself was baptized at Grown Years if any might be baptized in Infancy why not Christ Christians be not ashamed your Captain is gone before you he was thirty years old when baptized Christ is not ashamed to call you Brethren Heb. 2.11 Secondly Another thing to be observed in the Baptism of Christ is the Administrator of this holy Ordinance John who confesseth of himself he was not worthy to unloose the latchets of his shooes Mark 1.7 Now if Christ would receive Baptism from such an unworthy Instrument never slight the Ordinance because of the unworthiness of the Administrators let your eye be on Christ your Example Thirdly Note the Repulse John forbad him Mat. 3.14 Difficultly in duty must be no excuse we must take no denyal in following God Strive to enter in at the strait gate Mat. 7.13 Fourthly Note John's Argument Mat. 3.14 I have need to be baptized of thee 〈◊〉 comest thou to me Some will not be baptized but of need their carnal Argument is May I not go to Heaven though I be not baptized Is it of necessity to salvation Is this like your Lord and Master Was not he a perfect Saviour Was not the Spirit poured on him without measure He had no sin to be washed away wherefore see your example he doth it not of need but of obedience to his Fathers will Fifthly Note the excellent Terms he gives to this Ordinance of Baptism 1. He calls it Righteousness Matth. 3.15 'T is righteous and just that I should be about my Fathers business 2. It is a comely thing it becomes us Oh it is a very comely thing in God's Children to have respect to all the Commandments of God 3. The Conjunction us thee and me and all my Followers John 12.26 If any man serve me let him follow me and where I am there shall also my servant be 4. A Completion it is a fulfilling 2 Cor. 10.4 The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but spiritual ver 5. bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ ver 6. having in readiness to revenge all disobedience when your obedience shall be fulfilled Obedience must be fulfilled 5. The universal Term all Baptism is one of the all Christ reckons it so Thou canst not walk in all the Commands if this be omitted 6. Note Concerning Christs Baptism the form of Administration Mat. 3. And straitway he went up out of the water straitway because Baptism is once Dipping up had he not been down 't would not have been said he went up he went was not carryed in Arms as Infants are out if he went out of the water then he had been in We never say one goes out of the house when he never was in So Christ could not be said to come out of the water had he not been in he went up out had a little water been brought to him in a Bason he had not been said to go up out of the water this water was the River of Jordan Christ stoops to small things because an Ordinance 7. Note Concerning Christ's Baptism the Father's Acceptance Mat. 3.16 17. the Heavens were opened Some of Christ's Followers have found glorious openings of Heaven in Baptism the spirit descended the very same that is promised to Believers in their Baptism Act. 2.38 Repent and be Baptized every one of you and you shall receive the Holy Ghost Obj. But doth every one receive the Holy Ghost that is bapt●●●● Ans The defect lies not in Baptism ●●t in Faith and Repentance without which no Ordinance is effectual And lo a voice from Heaven This is my beloved Son Christ as Head was sealed and in Baptism is held forth the Sonship of his Members in him I am well pleased not only in all he hath and doth do but in this very Act of Baptism as an Act of Obedience to my glorious Will I am well pleased and so is the Lord well pleased in the Act of Obedience wherein from the heart we obey the form of Doctrine delivered to us Rom. 6.17 The same Voice the blessed Son of God hath in the Mount Luk. 9.35 This is my beloved Son hear him Hear him in his Commands and Appointments hear him now in his Baptism Oh saith Christ thus it becometh us you that have my Father for your Father you that have my God for your God Thus it becometh us to be baptized and to fulfil all righteousness Oh he is a beloved Son hear him 8. Note How in Christs Baptism the Trinity doth as it were meet the Father with a Voice the Son baptized in Person the Holy Ghost descends like a Dove And surely it is one Reason why Baptism in special is is to be administred in the Name of the Father Son Holy Ghost because he who doth sincerely believe and is baptized the whole Trinity the Father Son and Spirit is his portion and that glorious Union of the Trinity in Christ's Baptism is in every Believers Baptism commemorated CHAP. II. Of the great Commission for Believers Baptism AS you have heard something concerning your great Pattern the Lord Jesus so now I shall shew something concerning his Command Mat. 28.19 And I pray note what is said of our Lord Jesus Act. 1.1 Christ is said both to do teach 't

Pharisees and Lawyers the learned men of the times rejected the Councel of God against themselves not being baptized Do not say as they said Which of the Rulers have believed in him Hearken to Christ's Answer Mat. 11.25 Jesus answered I thank thee O Father Lord of Heaven and Earth that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them to Babes And further If Learning were an Argument in this case Are there not many Cardinals and Jesuits Learned Men Object 7. 7. But are not there very Godly men Pastors of Churches that hold Infant-baptism I Answer You are not to follow an Apostle further than he followeth Christ 1 Cor. 11.1 Follow me as I follow Christ Again bring no Examples of good Men against an express word You have an express word Acts 8.12 When they believed they were Baptized both Men Women Elias was a good man he called for fire from Heaven but we must not do so Jehosaphat was a good King but the High Places were not removed follow no Example against a word 1 Kings 22.42 43. Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil Exod. 23.2 Object 8. 8. But there 's not a word against Baptizing Infants I Answer Nadab and Abihu were burned with fire because they did that the Lord commanded not Lev. 10.2 3. Again if you mean by a word an express word then where have you a word Thou shalt not baptize Bells as you read in the Book of Martyrs they did Where have you a word saying Thou shalt not use Spittle Cream or Salt in Baptism as the Roman Catholicks do But you must know it is enough against Infant-Baptism it is not commanded Object 9. 9. But were there not whole Families Baptized I Answer That it is expresly said They all believed Acts 16.34 He was baptized and all his ver 33. He rejoyced beleiving in God with all his House ver 34. Crispus the Chief Ruler believed in God with all his House and many of the Corinthians believed and were baptized Acts 18.8 Lydia and all her House were baptized Acts 16.15 Here 's no mention of Husband or Children whether she was a Maid or a Widdow only they are called Brethren ver 40. Object 10. 10 Infants were once Church● Members and we do not find they were cut off I Answer That the natural Branches were broken off by their Unbelief and if they come to believe they may be grafted in again but till then they are broken off Rom. 11.20 21. Again now in the Gospel the Axe is laid to the root of the Tree and every Tree that brings not forth good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire Mat. 3.9 10. Therefore you must not think to say you have Abraham or a Believer for your Father This is the sure Word of God And thus you may see that the Sadduces were rejected when they came for Baptism thinking to say They had Abraham for their Father Mat. 3.7 8 9. And further Infants were Members of the National Church of the Jews But where were they ever Members of a particular Church under the Gospel When Infants were Members then Servants that were bought with Money were all Members Gen. 17.12 Which are not of thy seed God now in the Gospel seeks such to Worship him who Worship him in Spirit and in Truth John 4.23 And further there was then a middle Wall of Partition but this middle Wall of Partition is broken down Eph. 2.14 And now God is no Respecter of Persons but in every Nation such as fear him and work Righteousness are accepted of him Acts 10.34.35 Object 11. 11. But is the Priviledge of Believers Children less under the Gospel than it was under the Law I Answer What dost thou mean by Priviledge was it a priviledge to be under the Law or is it now a priviledge to be under the Gospel or dost thou mean by priviledge to have the Promises which the Apostle tells us of Rom 9.8 They which are Children of the flesh are not the Children of Promise or dost thou mean by Priviledge to partake of the visible Ordinance of Circumcision And is this such a priviledge which the Apostle Acts 15.10 calls a yoke that neither we nor our Fathers were able to bear is this the priviledge thou meanest Object 12. 12. But the Seed was in Covenant God made a Covenant with Abraham and his Seed I Answer What dost thou mean by Covenant dost thou mean the Covenant that was made on Mount Sinai or a Covenant of Works dost thou mean the Covenant of Grace wherein God promiseth to be their God and dost thou make this Covenant of Grace to be Conditional And dost thou judge that Ishmael Saul and Jeroboam the son of Nebat and Ahaz and all they were in the Covenant of Grace or dost thou judge they lost their Interest in the Covenant of Grace and so indeed make it a Covenant of Works Therefore consider God did make a Covenant with Abraham and his natural Seed to give them the Land of Canaan Gen. 17.7 8. but as to the Promise of Life and Salvation this was made to Abraham and his spiritual Seed Gal. 3.16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the Promises made he saith not unto Seeds as of many but as of one to thy Seed which is Christ If you will believe this Text there 's little difficulty in the Objection Rom. 9.8 The Children of Promise are counted for the Seed Object 13. 13. But they were so far in the Covenant as to give them a Right to the Ordinance I Answer Circumcision was entail'd on Abraham and his Seed and his Servants but where is Baptism intailed upon Believers natural Seed The Priesthood by a Covenant was entailed on the Tribe of Levi and their Seed as you may read Josh 18.7 Num. 25.13 will you now entail the Ministry on Preachers and their natural Seed But as to the point of Baptism were there not many that came to be Baptized and John said Think not to say you have Abraham for your Father Mat. 3.9 clearly shewing that their Carnal Right was cut off by the Gospel Now the Axe is laid to the Root of the Tree every Tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewen down and cast into the fire And note further Abraham had a word for to warrant his circumcising his Seed but where is there a word for Baptizing Infants Object 14. 14. But Christ said suffer little Children to come to me for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven I Answer The Text tells you plainly they were not brought to be baptized but that Christ might lay his hands on them and pray for them Mat. 19.13 Mark 10.16 Here 's nothing of Baptism Object 15. 15. But 't is said Acts 2.39 The Promise is to you and to your Children I Answer Do so much justice to thy own Soul ● to read the whole Text and you sh●● find that it is said The Promise is to y●●

BAPTISM Dis●overed Plainly Faithfully According to the WORD of GOD. WHEREIN Is set forth the Glorious Pattern of Our Blessed Saviour JESUS Christ the Pattern of all Believers in his Subjection to Baptism Together with the Example of Thousands who were Baptized after they Believed By JOHN NORCOTT Late Servant of Jesus Christ and of his Church The Third Edition Corrected by Will. Kiffin and Rich. Claridge With an Appendix by another Hand Jer. 6.4 Ask for the Old and the Good Way and walk therein you shall find rest for your souls Isa 30.21 This is the Way walk in it 1 Cor. 11.1 Be ye followers of me as I am of Christ. Mat. 3.20 And when Jesus was Baptized or dipt he came up out of the Water Luc. 7.30 But the Pharisees and Lawyers rejected the Counsel of God against themselves not being Baptized or dipt Printed at Rotterdam and now Re-printed at London by the Assigns of Widow Norcott and Sold by Will. Marshal at the Bible in Newgate-street 1694. To All that Love the LORD JESVS CHRIST And His Holy Ordinances in the Truth Grace Mercy and Peace be Multiplyed Dearly Beloved AS the Lord Jesus Christ is most pretious to your Souls his Name being as Oyntment poured forth and His Love better than Wine Song 1.2 3. So hath every Truth of his a due Value and Esteem with you Whatsoever hath the Divine Impress upon it ye readily embrace but not that which is 〈◊〉 Tradition of Man Hence it is that ye are for a Church of Christs 〈◊〉 Erection for a Ministry of his own Calling and for Ordinances of his own Appointing 'T is both your Desire and Endeavour to follow Christ fully and therefore cannot admit of any thing in Doctrine or Worship that is not exactly consonant to his revealed will Ye are so tender of Christ's Honour which shines in all his Commands that ye cannot deviate knowingly the least tittle from any one of them O what an Awe Christ's Authority carrys with it Ye are the sheep that hear his Voice the servants that do his will and the People that are obedient in the Day of his Power Blessed are ye that make his word your Rule and resolvedly do practise according thereunto The Author of this Short and Plain Discourse was a True Lover of our Lord Jesus and his Holy Appointments he Steer'd his whole course by the Compass of the Word making Scripture-Precept or Example his constant Rule in Matters of Religion Other Mens Opinions or Interpretations were not the Standard by which he went but through the Assistance of the Holy Spirit he labour'd to find out what the Lord himself had said in his Word And therefore throughout this Little Book he still keeps close to the Scriptures Vouching no Authority for what he delivers but from thence What Approbation this Piece hath found may appear from hence that since the First Edition of it here in England it hath been Reprinted in Holland was also lately Translated into Welsh and now growing scarce and much asked for the Bookseller hath been Advised to give it another Impression In which there are few material Alterations or Additions the Author 's own Phrase and Method being generally preserved The Lord who is able to give seed to the Sower and to bless the seed Sown Prosper this Plain Discourse to every soul that shall read it which is the hearty Desire of Yours in the Lord Will. Kiffin Rich. Claridge To his Truly Beloved Friends and Brethren in and about Wapping who Love our Lord JESUS in Sincerity Children of one Father Partakers of the Glorious Spirit of Grace Beloved Brethren IT was Josephs Lot to be separated from his Brethren but God meant it for good tho' it was not for the present seen yet in due time it appeared Josephs Dreams were fulfilled and tho' the Archers shot sorely at him and grieved him yet his Bow abode in strength Oh how good it is to be upright with the Lord It is one of the sad evils of the Times Brethren shoot at Brethren But this will be a Mercy indeed if all our Aim might 〈◊〉 to enjoy and be conformable to Christ one part of Conformity to our Lor● Jesus is Obedience to the Preciou● Ordinance of Baptism judging yo● are such as press after Christ you Head together with a Testimonial of my unfeigned Love to you I have presented these few Thoughts to your serious Consideration I have read of Two Loving Friends who having spent a great part of the day in a matter of Difference between them could not be reconciled and so parted One of them bethinking himself of that Text Eph. 4.26 ran to the other saying The Sun is going down by which they were both immediately reconciled My Brethren our Sun is going down Eternity is upon us and shall we not consider the Work we have to do for the Lord I beseech you be like the Noble Bereans search whether these things be so and if you find these things not mine but the Lords then give him the glory due to his Name Beloved as I have so I shall yet appeal in the Ears of the Lord of Sabbaoth like Elijah Lord God of Abraham Isaac and of Israel let it be seen this day that thou art God in Israel and that I am thy servant and that I have done all these things at thy Word 1 Kings 18.36 Now Lord let Fire come down from Heaven on this Sacrifice that may drink up all the waters of strife And that you may all cry The Lord he is God the Lord he is God ver 39. Which is the unfeigned desire of him that is unworthy 〈◊〉 serve you yet your loving Brothe in Jesus Christ John Norcott The Contents of the Book The Introduction Page 1. CHAP. I. Christ was Baptized in the River of Jordan P. 2. II. Of the great Commission for Believers Baptism P. 7. III. Examples P. 11. IV. Baptism is dipping or covering under Water P. 17. V. Proving Water-Baptism to continue till the second coming of Jesus Christ p. 21. VI. That no Measures of Grace or of the Spirit are a sufficient ground to keep any from Water-Baptism P. 23. VII Believers Baptism a great Ordinance P. 25. VIII Answers to the common Objections p. 28. IX Believers Baptism and Infant-Baptism compared P. 48. X. Plain Scriptures concerning Baptism without any Human Consequence from man's Wisdom P. 4● XI Considerations by way of Conclusion P. 50. An Appendix P. 57. Baptism Discovered The Introduction WHEN thou by reading goest to search out the mind of God let thy Cry be Lord anoint mine eyes with eye-salve that I may see and if it hath been the day of Gods Power with thy soul I fear not but thou wilt bid Truth welcome in whatever dress it comes and more think on what is comprized in the Letter than be affrighted at the poor Cloathing of the Messenger especially knowing it comes from one whose Name is the Great God Therefore in handling