Commission For Peter did not any where that I can find command That Water-Baptism should be observed to the World's End No no it was the Baptism of Christ Jesus with the Holy Ghost and Fire that was and is and will be to the End established and commanded in Mat. 28. by Christ And though the Apostles did make use of Iohn's Baptism yet they laid no stress upon us that were to come after them to use it neither was it commanded by Christ for them to use But come May not I say that they saw not to the End of Iohn's Baptism though Iohn had plainly said I must Decrease no more then they saw the Coming of the Gentiles till it was shewed by a Vision and that though Christ had said That the True Worship was in Spirit and in Truth yet that they saw not through the Outward Worship and have I not more Ground for it then you have for Paul's NOT ONLY but if you were in the Light you would see that the Apostles did see but in part and no further then it was revealed unto them no more then we do now But though we should say that they did see unto the End of Iohn's Baptism and unto the End of all Visible things as I know they did in Time as I shall prove hereafter yet although they might yet they that were daily added might have stumbled had they denyed them that of Iohn's Baptism except they also had seen into the Mind of God with them in this Matter for they were but Enterers in as little Children and not grown up to man's State at first but went from Strength to Strength in the Spirit of the Lord and so the Apostles could take Liberty for the furtherance of the Gospel to command Iohn's Dispensation bâ—t were above it themselves out from under its Command in the Power of Christ who was greater then Iohn and had all Power now himself and so it could not command Them but they It And so Philip said unto the Eunuch If thou believest with all thy Heart THOV MAYEST not thou must No but if thou believest thou Mayest he would not deny it him though I believe Philip knew that it was the Spirit 's Baptism that must sanctifie and that Water could not reach the Soul of any nor any way saâ—isfie the Spiritual Part of Mankind And yet took that Liberty in the Spirit because of the Weakness of their yet Childish Capacities to submit to their Weakness in many things that belonged unto the Law as well as in this of Iohn's And is it not also clear That the Apostles would not yet seem to lay the Building if I may so call it of John waste until they had laid and builded on a More Sure Foundation nor wholely preach his Baptism useless nor the Law neither until such time as the Gospel had got some hold of the People and then they testified of One Lord One Faith ONE BAPTISM and that by one Spirit they were all baptived into One Body and had been all made to drink into One Spirit and that they were made able Ministers of the New Testament not of the Letter but of the Spirit and came not with words Man's Wisdom teacheth but with the Words the Holy Ghost teacheth with which they were now baptized comparing Spiritual Things with Spitritual not with carnal or external or elemental Things with Spiritual as you do No no but Spiritual with Spiritual Now they saw by the Revelation of the Spirit into the Mysteries of God's Kingdom and therefore in Heb. 6. 1. the Apostle comes in with these words LEAVING saith he mark Leaving the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ let us go on unto Perfection Come Friends deal plainly for your own Souls Good and God's Glory and tarry not short of him that makes Perfect and cleanseth from all Iniquity and be perswaded to come and wait for the True Baptism of Christ which is with the Holy Ghost and Fire that ye may be sanctified and refined and made every whit whole for it is in much Love to your Souls that these Lines are written by One that desires your Salvation even as his own and truly breathes for the Prosperity of Zion and the Establishment of Truth and Righteousness But now some may Object and say That the Apostles could not have left them if they had not been in Them or in the Vse of Them I Answer True they had so and had also been in the Use of those things the Law had required but mark All these could not make Perfect The Law made nothing Perfect said the Apostle as pertaining to the Conscience And the Baptism of John say you was but a Type Now if the Type could make perfect then there would have heen no need of the Substance for if Perfection had been by the Levitical Priesthood then verily Righteousness would have been by the Law and now say I If John 's Baptism could have taken or have wash'd away Sin then verily Righteousness would have been by John I mean that men would have been then by it made perfectly and truly Righteous but Iohn himself preached no such thing by himself but said I am not He but behold him the Lamb of God that takes away the Sins of the World This is he of whom I spakâ— one Mightier then I cometh he must Increase of the Increase of his Government and Kingdom there shall be no End And therefore saith the Apostle LEAVING which word therefore seems to entail the fore going words in the Chapter before where he had bin telling them of their Childishness he mentions the Doctrine of Baptisms which cannot prove the Imposing of Water-Baptism any more then all the rest and was now for bringing them on to a further State where they might know Perfection and have Meat that would satisfie True Bread that comes down from Heaven and impowers to be Sons of God And it seems clear to me that there was some Need for those things they had so long lain like Children weak and like Babes in to be left Therefore LEAVING these let us go on to Perfection and saith further This will we do if Godpermit But if they had been commanded by Christ to have been used to the World's End then why should Paul for so I call that Author have been so earnest at that Day which was soon after Christ's Ascension to have had them then to leave them and to go on to a more Manful Powerful Perfect State So that it is very clear to all whose Eyes the Lord hath opened that though the Apostles had by Reason of their Weakness submitted to their Childish Capacities rather then they would lose their hold they had got of them yet this or these things were not the Thing they were driving at But the Aim and End of all they did both in Circumcision Passover Vows and Seven Dayes Purification and Water-Baptism yea and all those things they did concerning Meats and other
was then was the True Baptism known then came the Holy Ghost upon them then did the True Light shine and the Darkness fled way then were they inwardly washed and their Understandings opened then was the Circumcision of the Heart known then was he entred into that within the Vail into the true Tabernacle which God pitched and not Man And so Iohn went before as a Type but willingly gave place to the Substance So that its clear the Baptism you use is not Iohn's and it it much more clear that it is not Christ's Baptism and so it must needs be your own done by you in Imitation of the Holy Men of God gone before who did what they did in Obedience to the Lord and in his Power and were sent by him but oh who ever sent you Baptists in this great and notable Day of the Lord It will one day be said Who hath required these things at your Hands Either shew us your Commission or else acknowledge your great Error Repent and come unto the true Light and walk in it prize it and obey it that ye may be saved by it For it is not a fair Outside of the Cup or Platter but the inward Washing of Regeneration by the Spirit and a living in the Spirit and the whole Worship of God say we and say the Scriptures the same That the True Worship of God is in Spirit and in Truth but that your Water-Baptism is Spiritual I deny or that it ought to be observed in the Worship of God you cannot prove but Iohn's was ordained to be used as a Type before the Spirit 's Worship or the true Worship in the Spirit was fully established and of it self a thing that I believe none of you dare say doth in any measure sanctifie and wash the Soul And if it be of so little Effect unto the Soul why what Necessity is there for the Continuance of it to the World's End since also ye cannot prove it so commanded for once more let me tell you that the Baptism commanded in the 28th of Matthew was INTO the Name of the Father Son Spirit or Holy Ghost but I say this was not Iohn's for they that had been baptiz'd unto Iohn's Baptism had not so much as heard of a Holy Ghost Acts 19. 1 2 3 4. which they must needs have done if they had been baptized with the use of these words In the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost But further you acknowledge your selves that it is but a Type well I ask you then What doth it type forth unto us or what is it a Type of If it be a Type of the Baptism of Christ then I ask you What further need is there of it when the Thing signified by it is come Or do you think that the Type and Substance must remain together to the World's End Was it not always from the Foundation of the Law that when the Substance came that the Shadows fled away But although you should still say Why then did the Apostles use it after the Spirit 's Baptism was accomplisht I answer as before The Apostles had Power over it after they saw beyond it and could submit unto the Weakness of Believers Capacities in many things as above is mentioned but that they saw not beyond it till it was reveal'd unto them is clear but then they spoak of the one Baptism of the one Lord of the one Faith And so Iohn himself when he saw Jesus walking he said unto his Followers Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the Sins of the World and John 's Disciples LEET John mark they Left John and walked no more with him For Iohn's Baptism could not wash them from their Sins but behold the Lamb of God takes away Sin puts an End to Sins finishes Transgression brings in everlasting Righteousness he makes every whit whole and fully saves to the utmost them that come to God by him and makes clean them he washeth And if I Wash thee not saith he thou hast no Part in Me He satisfies for he is the Bridegroom himself but Iohn was not he its true was the Bridegroom's Friend and would not rob him of his Prerogative or Honour but rejoyced to hear his Voice and when it was heard said This my Ioy therefore is fulfilled So we own Iohn in his place and Time but we own the Bridegroom above Iohn although Iohn was his Friend did what he was commanded but thought not much to give him place who had commanded him And so my dearly beloved Friends it is in much Love to all but chiefly to you called Anabaptists that this is written as I can truly testifie in the Manifestation of that true Light spoaken of in the Scriptures of Truth unto which I once more beseech you to turn your Minds and believe in it and come to walk in it and obey it and then will you have Fellowship with us and truly our Fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Christ Jesus by whom we have also received the Attonement and in whom we live out of whom we cannot live for He is our Life To him be Glory forever Written the 7th of the 1st Moneth 1674. Iohn Gratton GReat hath been the Travail of my Soul for the Prosperity of Sion and for her Establishment above the Top of all the Mountains and blessed be the Lord my God my Eyes behold her and see her Beauty to exceed all the Glory of the Earth and her coming out of her Wilderness State is come I say the Time is come and many have lyed or lain in the Way side to have drawn her aside and would gladly have allured and inticed her from her Beloved gladly would have had her turned aside unto other Lovers and have cryed out unto her What is thy Beloved unto anothers Beloved and have spoken against her and when they could not prevail with her have evil-entreated her and per secuted her for her Beloved's sake and many have been her Troubles but the Lord hath delivered her out of all And great is her Ioy at this Day and her Glory exceeds all the Glory of the Nations Her Beauty is Perfect she is a Virgin and never was defiled but is all Glorious The King's Daughter is all Glorious within her Garments are of wrought Gold wholely pure she has no Blemish she is all fair without Spot the only beloved of the Lord Glory to his Name He hath remembred her in Love and her Sorrows has he seen and will plead her Cause and subdue Kingdoms for her sake and make her Way plain before her Oh! come unto Sion all ye that desire her Prosperity and be not so foolish as to sit down short of her her City is free her Gates are open hy Day by Night she has no need of the Sun by Day nor of the Moon by Night but the Lord God the Lamb are the Light thereof Her Light will never grow dark her Sun will never set Night shall be no more upon her for her Sun is arisen and as one to run a Race is marching on his Strength is as a Lyon his Voice is heard to Roar and great Fear is fallen and a falling upon the Beast of Prey Oh! who would not live in her Her Gates are paved with precious Pearles her Inhabitants are all Kings and Priests unto God she is altogether Comely and her Glory shall never have an End Amen Oh! who who would not dwell here Come come unto Sion all ye that are sincere to what ye know Turn ye turn at her Call and embrace her Counsel Why will ye bestow your Money for that which is not Bread and your Labour for that which satisfieth not Oh! come unto me saith the Lord my Voice is near you How often have I called and ye regarded not nor have not answered my Requirements but are imitating them whose Life and Power you are out of But now turn ye unto the Lord with all your Hearts believe in his Light and Life will you know that never can have End but if you still Refuse you will one day know that you were Warned and Invited by one that truly seeks not himself but earnestly travails for the Welfare of all men and is become Servant to all for Iesus's sake To Him be all Honour Praise and Dominion forever and for evermore J. G. THE END
whatsoever came before him though useful in their Place and to be observed in their Time yet were all to give place and pass away and not to abide forever in the House for they were but Servants and the Son is over all hath Power over all and alone hath Right singly to Reign of the Increase of his Government and Kingdom there shall be no End So Moses was Faithful in all his House as a Servant and did faithfully minister in the Law which was added because of Transgression until the Seed came but when the Seed came to whom the Promise was who was and is the Heir He as a Son over his own House was and is established I say When he was come then the Servants Services ended in that Nature gave place and were taken away he took away the First that he might establish the Second and that forever which will never be removed into a Corner to him be all Glory wholely forever So Iohn also was faithful in his Day as a Fore-runner or as One sent to run before him whose Way he was to prepare and he cryed for he was that One fore-told of whose Voice was heard in the Wilderness saying Prepare ye the Way of the Lord make his Paths straight but the Lord's Voice which is nigh in the Heart cryeth This is the Way walk in it I am the Way the Truth and the Life No man can come unto the Father but by ME mark ME Said Christ I am the Way it self walk and live in Me and abide in Me in Me ye shall have Peace He doth not say IN ME AND JOHN nor I AND JOHN AM THE WAY No no But I am the Way the Truth and the Life I am the Light or am come a Light into the World He that believes in Me shall not abide in Darkness but shall have the Light of Life mark Not a Lifeless Changeable or Shadowy Light but an Unchangeable Pure Living Light for his Life is the Light of Men He that hath it hath Life he that hath it not hath not Life but is in Darkness under Wrath. So Iohn testified and said I am not that Light but am sent before to bear witness of that Light that true Light that enlighteneth every man that comes into the World I am not the Way but a Forerunner or one sent to run before to make Preparation for the Way of the Lord and he that sent me sent me to Baptize with Water But GREATER IS HE THAT SENDS THEN HE THAT IS SENT For though he came after me yet he is and even was preferred before me the Latchet of whose Shoe I am not worthy to untye he shall Baptize with the Holy Ghost and Fire I indeed Baptize with Water He with the Holy Ghost and Fire I must Decrease he must Increase That he might be made manifest to Israel therefore am I come Baptizing with Water as I was sent to do for this End that he might be made manifest to Israel AND WHEN he is made manifest to Israel then is the End of my so Baptizing with Water ACCOMPLISHED then must I Decrease but He must Increase for of the Increase of his Government and Kingdom there shall be no End Now the Day dawned the Sun appeared and all lesser Lights were overtopped and all Shadows fled away Now its true Iohn was a Burning and Shining Light but Iohn received all from above but He that 〈◊〉 above all and gives to all Men Life and Being is the Fulness of Light and Life and as he arises and ascends in his Glory he gives to all men liberally as it pleaseth him Glory to his Name forever Now that Water-baptism or Baptizing into Water were only ascribed unto Iohn as â—â—ving Commission both by our Saviour Christ and his Apostles and by Iohn himself see Mat. Chap. 3. Vers. 11 15 16. where Iohn affirms I saith Iohn I mark Indeed Baptize you with Water unto Repentâ—nce but mark here all ye Water-Baptists of all sorts mind this but HE that CONETH AFTER ME mark What then Iâ—hn thou must depart it seems if he must 〈◊〉 After this word After signifieth Ioâ—â—'s going away or giving place to him that was to come after him What then Iohn thou art but for a Time No I must Dâ—crease for He is Mightier then I whose Sheâ— Latchets I am not worthy to unloose Well Iohn And what will he do for us Will not he Baptize with Water I tell you I Baptize with Water that he might be manifested to Israel but he will exceed me or my Baptizing into Water for he shall Baptize you with the Holy Ghost and Fire whose Fan is in his Hand and he will throughely purge his Floor and gather his Wheat into his Garner and burn up the Chaff with Fire Vnquenchable Well they might still have said John This is a Great Work but will he not own thee thy Baptism establish it with his forever or to the End of the World mind Yes might Iohn have said for in Effect he did say He will own me for GOD SENT ME BEFORE and for this End that Christ might be made manifest to Israel therefore am I come But not that he will establish my Baptism with his for I must Decrease and there is no Necessity for it for his Baptism is the Substance of all other and throughly purges and refines and makes pure and I am but a Fore-runner of him Well But he comes to thee to be baptized of thee Yes but Iohn forbad him saying I have need to be Baptized of thee and comest thou to me mark Here was need for Iohn I have need said Iohn well Jesus denyes it not but there was so nevertheless Suffer it to be so NOW mark Now Why Now Because Now is thy Time for thou wast sent before me for this End might Christ have said and this Dispensation is of God and thus or therefore it becometh us to fulfil all the Righteousness why then Iohn suffered him But some may Object and say If it was Righteousness to be Baptized into Water then and that Christ was ought not we to follow Christ in all Righteousness I Answer In all Everlasting Righteousness he ought to be followed not in all the Outward or Ministerial Part of Righteousness for there is the Righteousness of God revealed within from Faith to Faith and the Righteousness of the Law without the Law was Righteous Holy Just and Good and Christ fulfilled the Righteousness of the Law and had he not fulfilled the Law in every Tittle he could not have said Its Finished but he fulfilled the Law And he also fulfilled Iohn's Dispensation or he obeyed or did all the Law commanded and he obeyed and did also all that was commanded by the Dispensation of Iohn and when all the Righteousness requir'd was fulfilled it was Reason that he only should have Place that had fulfilled it So down to the Circumcision he went and to the Passover and to