by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the holy Spirit 5. This is shed forth abundantly on us in Jesus Christ 6. In the partaking of Salvation in this Spirituall washing and spirituall renewing we are justified by the Grace of God 7. And being justified by free grace we are made Heirs and have hope of eternall life or according to the hope of eternall life O that we could in this clear discovery of the eternall God behold his Testimony in this place in the clear light and wisdome of the eternall Spirit for then we should not look so low as we do upon earthly and carnall observations of the things of God and especially of the Baptisme of the eternall Spirit the onely Baptisme of the new Testament but then we should look upon it as it is the work of all power in heaven and earth according to its first institution and then we should see the glorious effects of it fulfilled in the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the holy spirit then we should see the new birth brought forth in souls by this spirituall washing the work of God alone in the operation and renewing of his Spirit or wrought by his spirit in us Here is declared the true Gospel-washing even the saving of souls from sin and all uncleannesse here is the great Gospel-promises fulfilled with a witnesse even opening a fountain of pure living water and pouring it forth upon the barren wildernesse and the dry ground the barren dry and unfruitfull ground of unbelievers are by this Spirituall washing made the Garden of the Lord and being trees of the Lords planting they are watered every moment and refreshed and comforted with the streams of that river that makes glad the City of God This is the true washing that washeth away the fiâ—thines and polluâ—ions of the sons and daughters of Zion coming forth from that eternall fountain the Lord of Hosts who dwelleth in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem making his people a fit habitation for himself to dwell in by washing away their filthinesse in the pure waters of the Spirit of life flowing out from the Lord God and from the Lamb whose habitation they are in the Spirit and spirituall washing Here is the work of all power in heaven and earth in saving souls by spirituall washing and this onely is suitable to the Commission of Christ Mat. 28. spirituall washing or baptising in which we are made partakers of the name nature of God being by the presence of the eternal Spirit in us washed renewed regenerated sanctified and cleansed from our own filthinesse sin and pollution which is contrary to God and all appearances of God in Spirit Here is the great Gospel-work of saving creatures from their sin and all iniquity by the love kindnesse and mercy of the Lord Jehovah and here is the way also set forth in which the Lord Jehovah saveth souls from sin it is by spirituall washing and spirituall renewing of them by the work of the eternall spirit and O that we were more sensible of the glorious work of all power in heaven and earth manifested in us in washing and cleansing us from all sin and uncleannesse and bringing forth the pure and divine nature in us which work is of the Lord alone and not of man who is as nothing and vanity it self The Baptism or washing of the New Testament is not like those carnall legal figurative and typicall washings c. which were administred either by Moses or John in which the substance of the great things to come were figured out or declared to come after But the substance it self goeth forth in the Baptisme or washing of the New Testament this washing is to purpose for in it and by it we are washed and saved from our sin and this is the substantiall and onely washing of all washings Eighthly we have another clear Testimony of the true and spirituall washing the onely Baptisme of the New Testament 1 Pet. chapter 3. verse 21. the words are these The like figure or example whereunto 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 c. Here we have the true Baptisme of the New Testament set forth and the people taken off from all outward washings not the washing of water 1. Here the Apostle declares the saving of Noah and his family in the Ark from drowning by water v. 20. and now he tells them of another kind of saving and this is by water of which that was a signe or example or this is an example of that c. Baptisme doth now save us but is it water-Baptisme that doth save us now no saith he not the washing of the filth of the flesh what then why the answer of a good conscience but whereby is the answer of a good conscience brought forth not by water-Baptisme but by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Here is a clear allusion to the Resurrection of Christ and to the power and vertue thereof for then Christ received all power in heaven and earth for the accomplishing this great work of spirituall Baptism or washing and so the power and vertue hereof doth baptise souls into the goodnesse of God cleanse and purifie their Consciences and so the answer of a good Conscience is brought forth in them by vertue of Christs Resurrection by virtue whereof soules are washed and cleansed from an evill and corrupt Conscience whereby all men are naturally defiled by sin and evill The like testimony of spiritual Baptisme or Washing we have declared Heb. 10. 22. in v. 20. the Apostle describes a new and living way by whom we do enter into the holiest place even the presence of the infinitely holy God and in this 22. v. he declares how it is that we doe draw neer unto God in this new and living way it is by having our hearts sprinkled from an evill conscience and our bodies washed with pure water So here we see how the answer of a good Conscience is brought forth it is by being sprinkled with pure water but our earthly waters will not nor cannot bring forth such effects in us it is onely the waters of the Spirit that can doe this that river of pure water of life that John saw Revel 22. 1. and this is the onely water that washeth sprinkleth and clenseth hearts spirits souls consciences and bodies from all evill sinne filthinesse and uncleanenesse of the whole man Thus I have faithfully declared the true Gospell baptisme as I have received from the Lord agreeable to the word written in the Scriptures and also the eternall Word written in the hidden man of the heart the two great Witnesses of God in the World And now I know this clear truth of God revealed in the clear light and wisdome of the Eternal Spirit will not with many opposers as it hath already throw mens carnal understanding of the Baptism of
A CRYER IN THE VVILDERNESSE OF ENGLAND Declaring the Baptisme of the eternall Spirit to be the onely Baptisme in Christs Kingdome Published in Gospel-light according to the word written in the Scriptures and the eternall word written in the hidden man of the heart for satisfaction of those who are satisfied with truth alone By Edward Punch of Carisbrook in the Isle of Wight Who is not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ because it is the Power of God to salvation Acts 13. 41. Behold ye despisers and wonder and perish for I work a work in your dayes a work which you shall in no wise believe though a man declare it unto you 1. Cor. 12. 13. For by one Spirit are we all baptised into one body whether Jews or Gentiles whether bound or free and have been all made to drink into one Spirit Acts 11. 16. Then remembred I the word of the Lord how that he said John indeed baptised with water but ye shall be baptised with the holy Spirit Acts 1. 5. LONDON Printed by T. M. for Richard Moone at the Seven Stars in Pauls Church-yard near the great North doore 1654. To all true Saints in England and elsewhere who are really partakers of Spirit-Baptisme in the Lord JESVS who is the way into the possession and injoyment of eternall grace and glory in the Lord JEHOVAH FRiends in the truth He that hath set his hand to the Plough and looketh back is not fit for the Kingdome of God And I must here declare unto you that Gods Kingdom that he will bring forth in these latter dayes is another manner of building and work than the world or Churches under Antichrists raign doth think of for God is now pulling down the old building that man hath been setting up this many hundred years and O friends I would advise you not to stand looking back upon the old building in Antichrists Kingdome but with the Apostle look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwells righteousnesse Let us who are of the day go toward Zion with our faces thither-ward for looking back hinders seeing what is before us Let us look unto the new Jerusalem the City of the living God that cometh down from God out of heaven and let us not so much as take any notice of the old heavens wherein men would ascend up to God for God hath not bid us look after the old but the new and hath bid us rejoyce for ever in the things that he will create and he hath told us that he that stands upon the Throne makes all things new And this is a clear truth that all the Churches and Church orders of men as they call it are yet in Babel they are all in confusion one with another amongst themselves One saith here is Christ and another saith there is Christ one for one way another for another way one for one order another for another order one interprets Scriptures one way another another way one saith one thing is truth and another saith another thing is truth and many cry out against the clear truth and would if it were possible hinder that from appearing And now how can you imagine that the Churches are out of Babel and yet still in confusion in darknesse and mistakes Christs first coming brought divisions into the world but now it shall bring peace among all Luke 12. 51. Isa 11. Consider a few particulars wherein it doth appear that Babylon is not yet fallen but standeth still even to this day 1. When God brings forth his great work in the latter dayes The wolf and the lamb shall dwell together in peace c. but now we are far from such a disposition for those who look like lambs and are so for ought I know they cannot dwell together in peace and love but are at great difference as well as the lamb and wolf but persecution shall come to an end in the latter dayes and not continue as before therefore look not for such a time now to come 2. In that day the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord but it is now full of ignorance of the Lord as all carnall principles and doctrines of men do witnesse with their works and actions 3. In that day God will get his people a name and a praise in all lands where they have been put to shame but yet they are a reproach in all Lands therefore that day is not yet come 4. In that day God will turne to his people one pure language wherein they shall all serve him with one consent and God will give them one heart and one way the Lord shall be one and his name one c. But none of this is to be found for we see even among those that praise God there are many languagues and they serve God according to their knowledge or ignorance in many wayes and there is no consenting together therefore Antichrist is not yet destroyed so we are yet in the wilderness in Babel Egypt and Sodom where our Lord was crucified c. and as the great difference was between open profannesse and a forme of Godlinesse so now it is between the forme and the power of godlinesse Therefore the loftinesse of man is not laid low nor the Lord alone exalted 5. The promise is that in that day the peace of Gods people shall be great but now it is not so for our divisions are now great and our peace little with men then none shall disturbe nor make them afraid but now there are many disturbers even against the cleare truth Therefore Antichrist is not yet destroyed but doth oppose Christ in Spirit and so Babel or confusion is still present therefore not the new heavens and new earth the worke of God in this world as is cleare by many witnesses 6. When Babylon is fallen the kingdomes of the world shall become the kingdomes of the Lord and of his Christ this must needs be in another manner of way then before for all Nations are at Gods disposing still even in the highest of Antichrists raign But we see not this yet fulfilled for the kingdomes of the world are still as they were men are unrighteous unholy without love pity and compassion to their fellow Creatures as they were some have thousands of Gold and Silver and others want food and raiment c. This does not look like the righteousnesse of God in the new heavens and new earth but like the unrighteousnesse of men in the old tyrannical cruell and oppressing kingdome of Antichrist this looks not like the love of Christ but like selfe-love c. as in the Epistle of James Consider farther the Church of Christ was to be droven into the wildernesse of Antichrists kingdome during his reigne and the outward Court of the Temple was given to the Gentiles during Antichrists reigne and I hope you know what this is therefore take not that unto your selves that is given to the Gentiles
And behold I send the promise of my Father upon you but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be indued with power from on high Luke 24. 49. if this be not a promise I know none Now here you may read the truth that you do oppose and behold your own ignorance and sit down in silence and cover your lips for shame Obj. 19. If no water-baptism then no Ministery nor no right calling to preach and we may as well deny one as the other c. Answ 1. Here I say as you do though in another sence if we are not baptized with the spirit then we are no true Ministers of the spirit and then we have no ground to preach So our ground to preach doth arise from our being baptized though not with material water For I do affirm from Scripture and Reason that a man may be baptized in water and yet be as far from having any ground to preach that he may be an enemy to the true Ministery of God in spirit and power from on high For no man can deny but a wicked man may be thrown into water and so baptized in water And we have example that Simon Magus was baptized with water and yet no right to preach 2. Though the Apostles had received a Commission from Christ to go and teach all Nations yet they were not to practise it till they were indued with power from on high And now let me ask any of you or all of you who pretend a Calling to preach either from going into water or from mens laying hands upon you yea from any external ordination which is from man whatsoever How you do dare to go and call your selves Ministers of Christ and of the Gospel c. from a bare outward calling and yet are without either a Commission from Christ or power from on high either the Apostles were not to go till they had both But you do go to teach without a Commission or power from on high and what is this but to run before you are sent But here I would not be mistaken as if I were against all that do teach no I am really for all that do go forth in the strength of God in whose hearts and mindes God hath written his divine Laws and hath given them life and power from on high who are able Ministers of the Spirit and discerners of spirits in the light and wisdom of the eternal Spirit and do hear the voice of God in their own souls and do speak from the teachings of God in themselves So I hope you do see that those whom God doth teach they have a right to teach others though not hereunto ordained by earthly water nor any tradition of men taken up from a carnal understanding of the Scriptures But if men do not see this truth it is because of their ignorance and blindness and want of experience in the mystery of truth Obj. 20. But here you will say The Apostles were to go forth in an extraordinary work to teach all the world to speak with new tongues work miracles c. but now ordinary gifts will serve for to teach our own Nations c. Answ 1. I grant they were to be indued with tongues c. but yet the substance of all did consist in the internal work that was wrought in them for though they could not speak to all Nations except they did speak in their languages yet this was not the substance viz. their speaking several languages but there was a divine power went forth in their Ministery and had it not been for power from on high their word would have been no more effectual upon the people then the preaching of Christ and his Aposties was before among the Jews before the spirit was given 2 There is as much need of power from on high now in those that declare the mystery of God in the world for now all people generally are fixed upon the forms and traditions of the former ages set up by antichrist from a carnal understanding of the mystery of God And the man of sin and mystery of iniquity have so blinded the hearts mindes and understandings of all Nations that they cannot behold the glorious light of the Gospel but they are in Egyptian darkness the darkness and smoke of the bottomless pit and the false lights of antichrist have so blinded and dazled the eys of all the world that they cannot behold the glorious light of God If you would see Scripture for this purpose to declare this to be truth See 2 Thes 2. and Revelations of John with Matth. 24 c. And now a Ministery that must destroy such a mystery of iniquity and such a man of sin that have deceived all Nations for this twelve hundred yeers or more had need be a powerful Ministery I know not what you mean by your ordinary gifts but I know it is an extraordinary work must do this For I think that is extraordinary that hath force enough in it to destroy throw down and quite destroy all the building that man hath been setting up this many generations yea his very gods and all But that there shall be such a final destruction come upon the man of sin and mystery of iniquity it is cleer by the word 2 Thes 2. 8. here is so cleer a testimony of the destruction of the man of sin and mystery of iniquity spoken of ver 3 4 6 7. that it is undenyable And now what think you Is not the spirit of Gods mouth power from on high and is not the brightness of his coming the light of God then where are your ordinary gifts to destroy antichrist but I advise you that you be sure your building be of God and not of self for if it be below the power of God in spirit and below the brightness of God then when God comes forth in spirit and brightness he will assuredly destroy it root and branch head and tayl And now I can conclude no otherwise but thus that the Ministery that God will send forth from the spirit of his mouth and that shall appear in the bright and cleer light of God in his coming for the destruction of the man of sin and mystery of iniquity it shall consist in power from on high and in the true light of life And let all that dwell upon earthly principles look to it when God puts the spirit of life into his witnesses they shall finde these are no ordinary witnesses nor gifts in them but extraordinary Obj. 21. But if water-baptism must down then what shall we do for ordinances and we may as well throw away all ordinances as some and then this is the way to bring in ranting principles amongst us and carnal liberty c. Answ 1. Because we do not own nor set up that Ordinance that we have no ground for must we therefore throw away all Ordinances Doth this follow think you because a man doth not own that
shall pass upon all corruption in us and it shall be all eternally destroyed yet we are still in expectation hereof at present and therefore not past it So here we see in what respect we are to leave the Doctrine of eternal judgement and in what respect we are to look for the fulfilling of it For the Apostle would never exhort the people to leave that they were never come unto yet and also that which he doth cleerly exhort unto in other places this were the way for the Apostle to be like those whose words were yea to day and nay to morrow contrary to his own words and practise Rom. 1. 17 18 19. So this is the beginning of the Doctrine of Christ that was to be left and this was the Doctrine and whole Ministery of John the baptist as he was a fore-runner of Christ as Marke 1. the Ministery of John is called the beginning of the Gospel of Christ 1 The Repentance from dead works that John taught and imposed upon the people in an outward washing and outward Reformation and outward Confession c. this was no longer to be rested in for now Christ was exalted and made Lord of all and a Prince to give Repentance indeed and true and real Remission of sins in spirit life and power which shall never be repented of but men might repent of a fained Repentance as might be taken up from any outward form or outward reformation which was in flesh not in spirit which is but a shew of Repentance 2 Now that Faith that John taught should now be laid aside which was that the people should according to the promises of God expect Christ to come after him and should fulfil all that was testified of him concerning mans salvation and that he should suffer for sin take away the sins of the world c. so that now they should no longer look after a Christ to come and so live under types and shadows still but now they should look upon all the promises fulfilled and all finished Christ having suffered and risen and is glorified and now they were to believe all fulfilled that was promised of Christ as Peter declareth Act. 3. 18. and not to look for it to come as before they did though the chief of the Jews would have blinded all the people if they could to wait still for Christ to come and believe no otherwise 3 Johns testimony was that he baptized with water but there came one after him that was before him and was mightyer then he and that he should baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire yet at that present the people were to be subject to his baptism which was water because the other baptism was not come and he did figure out the baptism of Christ in his baptism But when the true baptism of all baptisms was come then they were to leave all the former that were outward and trust wholly to that which was inward and the true substance of what was figured out before And here you see there is Scripture for leaving out some baptisms And there is also Scripture for the continuance of one baptism Eph. 4. 5. there is one Baptism and 1 Cor. 12. 13. this baptism is declared by Paul himself and therefore Spirit-baptism is still in force though other baptisms were to be left And so of the other three mentioned here Heb. 6. and now where is your practising these Doctrines and yet leaving of them seeing some of them are not to be left behinde while we live upon the earth or are in the body or live in this world and now let all that see truth in its own light behold your blinde and traditional interpretation of the word written wherein are some things hard to be understood which those that are ignorant and unlearned in the mystery of God do wrest c. but observe here it cannot be those who are unlearned in the wisdom of the world for the greatest learned and wisest in the wisdom of this world onely are the greatest fools in the things of God But to answer an Objection from ch 5. 12 13 14. Paul was no babe c. yet he did not leave the Doctrine of the Resurrection nor of Faith c. Phil. 3. 10 11 12. Gal. 2. 20. Heb. 10 38. Rom. 1. 5 17. ch 16. 26. c. therefore this is not that kinde of Faith Resurrection c. that is here spoke of Obj. 24. Christ himself was baptized with water therefore it is to be practised by us seeing he hath left us an Example and we are bid to follow Christ c. A. 1. Are all things that Christ did Examples for us to follow him in then we have example from Christ to be Circumcised as well as baptized 2. Christ said to John that he should suffer it to be so now that so he might fulfil all righteousness but not one word of Christ by way of Precept that it should be an example unto future generations to follow it from his example of taking it up But seeing Christ did not speak one word of the standing of it in his Church to future generations we have no ground to follow it now So these be all the Objections that I do at present know or remember but if there are never so many more I know the truth is able to answer them all though I could answer never a one And I know nothing can satisfie the Spirit but God and when God is pleased to appear in mens souls and spirits in his bright coming in Gospel-light life wisdom and power from on high then men shall be satisfied with truth alone and not before And here I do conclude this Discourse humbly desiring all men that they would not despise the things they know not but try the testimony of all men by the truth alone and not try the truth by mens opinions for all are to be tryed by truth and not it to be tryed by them For at the best man is but a servant to the truth and it were well if they were so much but no man is Lord over truth And here I have declared unto all men what I have received from the Lord in witness to the truth And here I do profess in the presence of God Angels and men that if I could see any just ground from the cleer testimony of the truth that water-baptism were to be practised in Christs kingdom by Command or Commission from Christ and that it were the baptism of the New-Testament I would not be one day older before I would take it up I am so zealous for all the Commands of Christ through his presence dwelling in me in spirit and life But seeing I see so cleer ground against it in all the Scripture and no cleer ground for it therefore I have no ground to submit to it no though all men were for it And thus I leave what I have here declared to be tryed by the truth alone knowing this that whatsoever is of God shall stand in the day of tryal and whatsoever is of man shall be burnt up for God will bring a consumption upon all flesh and the Lord alone will be exalted in his people in his day of appearing in them in his coming in them in light and life and then all men shall cease from man who is vanity and his works of nought FINIS These books are to be sold by Richard Moone at the seven stars in Pauls Church-yard A Pathway unto Englands perfect settlement and its centre and foundation of Rest and Peace discovered by Capt. Robert Norwood 2. An Additional Discourse relating to the Treatise aforesaid By Capt. Robert Norwood Many things therein are fully opened several Doubts and Objections answered a brief account given of the Ancient Laws Customes and Constitutions of this Nation before and since the Conquest so called 3. The Life of that incomparable man Faustus Socinus Senensis described by a Polonian Knight Whereunto is added An excellent Discourse which the same Author would have had premised to the Works of Socinus Together with a Catalogue of those Works 4. Brevis Disquisitio or a brief Enquiry touching a better way then is commonly made use of to refute Papists and reduce Protestants to certainty and unity in Religion 5. The Apostolical and true opinion concerning the Holy Trinity revived and asserted partly by 12 Arguments levied against the Traditional and false opinion about the Godhead of the Holy Spirit partly by a Confession of faith touching the three Persons c. By John Biddle Mr. of Arts. 6 A short Treatise touching the death of Christ also the point of baptism is handled with the qualifications demerits sufficient to the receiving in and casting out Church-Members By J. Dell. 7. The Army Vindicated in their late dissolution of the Parliament By John Spittlehouse 8. A Warning-piece discharged or certain intelligence communicated to his Excellency the Lord Generall Cromwell By John Spittlehouse 9. The first Addresses to his Excellency the Lord General with the new Representative elected by him and his Councel c. By John Spittle-house 10. The new Earth or the Magna Charta of the past Ages and of the Ages or World to come called The Jews Commonweal By Joh. Brayne 11. The unknown being of the Soul and Spirit c. By John Brayne 12. The Way of disputing practised by Christ and his Apostles in deciding the Controversies of that Age and the Rule for the determining of out own or the right use of spiritual weapons c. By John Brayne 13. Baptism without Bason or plain Scripture-Proof against Infant Baptism in Answer to Mr. Baxters Arguments and the Exercitations of Mr. Sidenham By William Kaye Minister of the Gospel at Stokesley A Cryer in the Wilderness of England declaring the Baptism of the Eternal Spirit to be the onely Baptism in Christs Kingdom c. By Edward Punch 15 Dissertatio de Pace c. or A Discourse touching the Peace and Concord of the Church This he hath now in the Press Judah's Witness sounding the Trumpet c.
work of Spirit Baptisme wherein the Commission of Christ is fulfilled according to the clear testimony of the Commission it self Acts 11. 15 16 17 18. 1. Here is Peters preaching the Gospel according to his Commission he had received of Jesus Christ 2. Here is the spirit falling on the People as Christ had promised saying Ye shall be baptised with the holy spirit 3. Here is Peters remembring the words of the Lord with his Testimony what it was That John baptised with water but they should be baptised with the Spirit 4. Upon this great work of the spirit wrought on the people here is Peters Apology that seeing God had in his ministry baptised the Gentiles with the Baptisme of the spirit as they were at the beginning that he could not withstand God 5. Here is the Testimony of those brethren that came with Peter who were eye-witnesses of this great work of God upon the Gentiles Then they held their peace and glorified God saying then hath God also unto the Gentiles granted Repentance unto life But now carnall reason and ignorance will object against the Baptisme of the Eternall spirit in this place and it will be this that the Baptisme of the spirit is here meant onely of the Baptisme of gifts v. 17. But though I intend to answer all objections that are against this clear truth that I do at present know of in my following Discourse yet I must here answer thus for I am not to seek of this how men that stand upon carnall and fleshly and traditionall observations of the things of God how they will object against the clear truth to uphold their own carnall principles ends and interests but the truth will manifest it self to their shame that so oppose it And for answer to this Objection I desire to go no further than the clear Testimony of the Truth it self For answer to this Objection let us observe the Testimony of the 14. and 18 verses of this 11 Chapter In v 14. we have recorded that the words Peter was to speak should be instrumentall for the saving of the man and all his house Now there was more in the words of salvatio than the Baptisme of Gifts as men do imagine for in the words of salvation there was the great mysteâ—y of God opened unto weak creatures and these words were so effectuall through the operaâ—ion of the eternall spirit that they were effectuall for the saving the man and his whole house from sinne and all unrighteousnesse and for the turning the man and his family from darknesse to light from sin to God for opening their blind eyes and washing them in the bloud of the Lamb and pouring forth the pure waters of life upon their souls washing and cleansing them from all unrighteousnesse sin and filthinesse and bringing forth in them the pure and holy nature of God in their hearts souls and spirits this and all else whatsoever is included in salvation is here by the Apostles ministry made effectuall in them according to the Commission which was to baptise them into the name of Father Son and Spirit and this is the substance of Spirit-Baptisme and is infinitely more than is imagined by those who think the Baptisme of the spirit to consist barely in visible gifts as they say given in an invisible manner or how they please to wrest the Testimony of Spirit Baptisme to maintain their own ends opinions and carnall conceits for the setting up of self c. But may not Gods whole work in his people be called a gift or gifts and in v. 18. It is recorded that those believing Jews that came with Peter when they saw the great work of God wrought upon the Gentiles that then they held their peace and glorified God saying then hath God also unto the Gentiles granted Repentance unto life They did not lay the Substance of the great effect of Peters ministry upon the receiving of visible gifts but that God had granted unto them repentance unto life in which as we said before is contained the whole work of salvation wrought in them 1. And here let us observe 1. Christs Commission Go teach all Nations baptising them into the name of the Father Son and Spirit 2. Christs promise Ye shall be baptised with the Spirit Acts 1. 4. 3. Peters obeying the Commission in preaching the Gospel unto the Gentiles 4. The promise following they are baptised with the Spirit and Peter here remembers the promise 5. Here is the substance of Christs Baptisme declared which was the effect of Peters preaching even salvation and Repentance unto life Here is clear testimony enough to satisfie those that look upon truth singly in it self and that are not baptised with Traditions Forms and Opinions of men So here we have one clear Testimony from the word it self of the fulfilling the great Ordinance of Spirit-Baptisme ordained and given forth by him who had all power in heaven and in earth and fulfilled by the same power from on high which was present in the Apostles Ministry according to his promise Matth. 28. 20. for the accomplishing this great work Secondly we have another clear Testimony of the accomplishing the great work of Spirit-Baptisme upon the Romanes c. 6. v. 3 4 5 6. In the beginning of the Chapter the Apostle answers a common Objection that men bring against the free Grace of God shed abroad in his peoples hearts Shall we sin that grace may abound saith he God forbid and presently he reasons out the point saying How shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein And v. 3. He shews how we came to be dead to sin it was by being baptised into the death of Christ and v. 4. We are buried by this Baptisme into death but what death death to sinne we are now dead to sin I hope no man is so simple as to think that baptising men into materiall water can kill sin in them or make them dead unto sin And v. 5. We have the Apostle declaring the businesse so plain that he that can see though but dimly yet he may see what the Apostles meaning is for saith he If we have been planted together in the likenesse of his death we shall be also in the likenesse of his Resurrection Here the Apostle calls this Baptisme planting into Christs death and is materiall water think you of any force at all to plant us into the death of Christ Let those who are truly partakers of the power of Christs deathin their own souls which destroy the life and power of sinne in themselves let such I say come forth and witnesse to this truth whether sin be destroyed in them by being baptised into the power and vertue of Christs death or whether sin be destroyed in them by any outward washing And again v. 6. this is a thing known to believers that our old man is crucified with Christ and it is for this end that the whole body of sin might be destroyed
fulfill the Law of Christ to do as we would be done unto and so living in the love of Christ a principle of divine love is brought forth in us and from this love within us we walk in love unto all and are filled with Kindnesse Pity Bowels of Compassion Humblenesse of Mind meeknesse of Spirit c. unto all our fellow-creatures And Christ being the true way into the possession and injoyment of all the goodnesse of the eternall God and we being baptised into Christ we are partakers of the true and eternal salvation in the true way the Father hath opened for creatures to possesse his love and goodnesse in unto eternity and in this Baptisme we are taken up into God and so we live above all the wayes of this world in Christ and in him in the Father in spirit the onely true way into all happinesse and the onely happinesse to eternity and Christ is also the truth and we being baptised into Christ are made partakers of the truth as it is in Jesus but those who are baptised in materiall water may still live in error for all this but those who are baptised into Christ who is the truth they live in the truth walk in the truth act in the truth and speak truth yea they that put on Christ in truth and are clothed with truth righteousnesse holinesse purity syncerity c. as with a Garment And so as Christ is so are they in this world and so every one that is baptised into Christ have put on Christ and so do appear in the likenesse of Christ in the new Creation the work of God alone in spirit and power from on high Fifthly We have another clear testimony of the Baptisme of the spirit the onely true spirituall washing in Eph. 5. 25 26. and how it is wrought according to the Commission of Christ Mat. 28. the words are these Husbands love your wives even as Christ also loved the Church and gave himself for it that he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word Here is a clear testimony of the accomplishing the Commission of Christ upon those people that belonged to his church 1. Here is Christs love to his Church 2. Here is the effect of his love he gave himself for his Church And 3. Here is the end why he gave himself for his Church or people and that is that he might sanctifie and cleanse it 4. Here is the means whereby this is done it is with the washing of water by the word And now the end of all is that it might be presented unto himself a glorious Church without spot or wrinckle or any thing like spot or wrinckle but holy and without blame And now that this great work of washing sanictfying cleansing and purifying the Church of Christ may be accomplished the end of his redeeming it now he was risen and had finished the great work of redeeming his Church now all power in heaven and in earth is given unto him for the reforming of his Church And now Christ having received all power in heaven and earth for the accomplishing this great work of sanctifying and cleansing his Church that this may be done he gives his Apostles a Commission to Go teach all Nations and in this ministry Baptise them into name of Father Son and Spirit and so as instruments sprinkle the name of God upon them and dip them into the pure river of water of life which is onely able to sanctifie and cleanse them that so they might be holy and without blame in the presence of God and of the Lamb who is undefiled Now this is the means whereby Christ sanctifieth and cleanseth his Church with the washing of water by the word now the word being the ministration of the eternall Spirit and given forth in all power in heaven and earth though unto weak creatures Yet the word they preached being the ministration of the Spirit and all power in heaven and earth being present in their ministry they are made instruments in the hand of God for the accomplishing this great work of sanctifying and cleansing souls with the washing of living water by the ministry of the word of life This was that administration that God had declared by the Prophets long before that should be accomplished in the latter dayes as in Isa 35. 6. In the Wildernesse shall waters break out and streams in the Desart v. 7. And the parched ground shall become a pool and the thirsty land springs of water c. And chap. 41. 18. I will open rivers in high places and fountains in the middest of the vallies I will make the wildernesse a pool of water and the dry land springs of water c. and chap. 44. 3. For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty and flouds upon the dry ground I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed and my blessing upon thy Offspring See also Ezek. 16. 8 9. and chap. 36. 25 26. and cap. 47. with Joel 2. and severall other places that God did declare by his Prophets that should be fulfilled unto us in Gospel-times which is the ministration of the Spirit as saith the apostle 1 Pet. 1. 12. c. This is the way that the onely wise God is pleased to pour out the fountain of living waters upon his people in these latter dayes even in the ministry of the word this is the way God will sanctifie wash and cleanse his people with the washing of water by the word Now this dispensation of God being mighty it brings forth mighty effects in the world upon the Sons of men for the power of God being present in this Gospel ministry it makes his people willing in this day of his power it is mighty through God to throw down the strong holds of sin to turn men from darknesse to light and from the power of the Devill to God In this Ministry God doth by his mighty power bring forth the new nature in his people and makes all things new in them and God in this ministry enters into an eternall Covenant with his people to be their God for ever and they to be his people to Eternity In this ministry of the word through the operation of the eternall spirit God brings forth a principle of power to believe in him alone and trust in him alone and God doth by this ministry take off his people from all dependence upon creatures and creature-excellency and sets them upon the rock of ages in whom is everlasting strength In this ministry God doth enter into an evelasting Covenant with his people and give them a new heart and Spirit according to his promise and pour clean water upon them and make them clean and wash them from all their filthinesse and this is the onely water of the Gospel and the onely washing of the new Testament but Gospel-washing is an outward and carnall or legall washing as carnall creatures do imagine And thus we see
the New Testament I shall therefore fairly Answer all Objections that are against this clear Truth according to the Testimony of the pure and clear Word of Truth Even as many as I do at present know and have heard of And though there may be many more then I have heard of yet though I cannot answer all or if I could not answer any yet I know the truth is able to answer all opposers against it Now it remains that we answer the Objections which are for water Baptisme and they are not a few but for satisfaction to those that desires to be satisfied with truth alone I shall lay down the Objections that are for water Baptisme and the severall exceptions against them in answer to the objections for water Baptisme that so they all may judge of it who are not biassed with any forms or opinions or judgements of men whatsoever but desires to look upon truth in its own light for those who are fixed upon the forms and traditions of the former ages set up in the old building of Antichrist in his Kingdom they stand for their forms traditions and outward washings and carnal observations as zealous as the old Scribes and Pharisees did yea though they do oppose Jesus Christ himself in Spirit and Power from on high and tell him to his face in the Testimony of his Word and Spirit that he is a deceiver and seducer of the People c But they never look upon their making void the Commands of God by their Traditions as Christ told their Predecessors Seeing there are so many Objections against Spirit Baptism and for to maintain Water Baptisme I care not much where I begin Object 1. First then it will be objected that Water Baptism came in the room of Circumcision c. Answ 1. As if one Type did come in the room of another even then when the substance was come and all Types were at an end Besides where is your ground from the clear testimony of the Word that Water Baptisme came in the room of Circumcision but seeing there is no ground from the Word to prove this Objection I have no ground to believe it for I am not to believe the opinions of men but the Word of Truth and where there is no law there is no transgression Object 2. Water Baptisme is a Signe or Seale of the Covenant as Circumcision was a Seal unto the People of God before as the word saith Rom. 4. 11. An. That Circumcision was made with hands and it was but in the flesh not in the Spirit in the outward man not in the inward and hidden man of the heart and when the substance was come the Apostle declares against this circumcision and cals it no circumcision saying for he is not a Jew who is one outwardly neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flâ—sh 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 Romanes 2. 28 29. And here I have good ground by this Rule to declare against water-Baptism and say that is not Baptism that is outward in the flesh or fleshly washing but that is true Baptisme that is in the heart and spirit and inward man whose praise is not of man but of God but Pharisaicall Jews must have some outward washing or else he shall be a deceiver and his Doctrine blasphemy 2. All things under the Law were generally confirmed unto the people by outward seals signs figures and outward Representations Heb. 9. 10. but the Gospel is not declared nor confirmed by outward Testimonies unto those that do believe but by inward and spirituall witnesses and Testimonies in the heart and inward man but the Jews must have some outward signe like their outward Religion 3. Where do you find in Scripture that water-Baptisme hath that honour given unto it to be a seal of the new Covenant or any part of it either of faith love righteousnesse c. I know no outward fleshly and carnall Seal to confirm an inward spiritual and everlasting Covenant unto believers but formall believers must have formall Seals or else they will not believe truth but the Seal of the Covenant that God makes with his people in all Gospel-times is the Spirit of promise whom the Lord hath promised to give unto all that he makes possâ—ssors of the New Covenant in whom that after ye believed ye were sealed with the Spirit of promise Ephes 1. 13. This is the true Seal of all believers that seals and confirms all the goodnesse of God unto them in the great Covenant of free grace and mercy unto them and other Seals I know none nor I cannot own any other except the word did declare it but it is the Spirit that is the onely Seal of the new Covenant and the earnest of our eternall possession that we have in and through Christ being freely given unto us 4. Where do you find in the word that the testimony of the eternall Spirit in our hearts written by the finger of God that we are commanded to set up a Signe or Seal in the Flesh to confirm it to us or declare it to others Would this be Gospel think you or any part of the substance is this any of the worship of God in Spirit or any part of the Gospel which is wholly spirituall 5. Where do you find that the love of God shed abroad in his peoples hearts that fills them with zeal for the glory of God as hot as fire that this hath need of a littâ— cool water to confirm it unto them or to be a Seal unto them of this love in them or would you have it a Seal unto nothing or to a blank as it is unto your Infants that are sprinckled 6. Must the Baptisme of the eternall Spirit wrought in our hearts souls and Spirits by all power in heaven and earth the very life and substance of Gospel-grace in us wrought must this have an empty shadow follow after it to be a sign or Seal to signifie what the Substance was that went before how can any creature call this Gospel 3. Ob. Water Baptisme distinguisheth the Church from the world c. An. 1. As if the righteousnesse holinesse purity love syncerity meeknesse humblenesse of mind pity compassion bowels of mercy gentlenesse long suffering c. all which is brought forth by the mighty power of God in the new man in the new Creation as if such who are the Church of Christ members in particular had need of some outward washing to shew forth to all men that they are washed within or that these so qualified had any need to have any outward Ceremony to distinguish them from the world their principles and actions are opposite to the world therefore clearly to be distinguished from them 2. Is not the Law of God written in his peoples hearts able to discern them from
will give them a new name saith God Rev. 2. 17. God gives his people a white stone and in the stone a new name written that none knows but he that hath it this is the new Name that God brings forth in his people in the new nature written in them by the eternal Spirit And none knoweth this white stone nor the name written in it but those that have received it and this onely is an eternal name that shall never be blotted out it being the name of the living God and written by a divine power in the new man or new name which is the white stone the eternal word brought forth in us in which God writes his own name which is the name of all names and so we do become living and preâ—ious stones by partaking of the divine nature in him who is the foundation of all precious stones being laid of the Father the onely precious stone and chief corner-stone by whose vertue we do become pure white and precious stones builded up together for an habitation of eternal being through the power and operation of the eternal Spirit But the waters of this world can never baptize us into this name nor give us this name nor write this name in us But the name any have by going into water is such a name as all may read because it is an external name and it is no better name then Simon Magus may partake of yea any wicked person is not this giving holy things to dogs I mean the name of God not water-baptism But he that hath the name given him of God in the baptism of the eternal Christ none can read it or know it but he that hath it therefore water-baptism is not that name neither can it give this name unto any nor baptize any into this name 5 Water-baptism cannot interest people into the name of God for Christ hath promised to write the name of God upon his people yea he will write upon them his own new name Rev. 3. 12. here we see it is the work of him who hath all power in heaven and earth to write the name of God upon souls and this is done in the power of the eternal spirit not by dipping in water For water-baptism is not the name of God neither can it work such effects upon souls as to bring forth the name of God in them nor to write the name of God upon them Creatures are onely partakers of the precious name of God by power from on high not by a little cold water Those that have any experience of the name and nature of God in themselves and those that are not wilfully blinde they may see or hear what the name of God is if you look but into the word written in the Scriptures that will tell you what the name of God is and Gods name and nature is one You know the Name of God is declared in Scripture to be Love Mercy Goodness Light Wisdom Righteousness Holiness with many the like and I hope none that knows and loves the truth wiâ—l saâ— that the glorious Name of the eternal God doth consist in a bare outside profession taking its denomination from dipping in a little cold water and that those who are interested into this glorious name that it is from their being thrown into a brook of earthly water there cannot be a more carnal conceit then this The Commission is to baptize people into the name of God and that is declared to be Love Goodness Mercy c. as in Exod. 34 c. But I hope no man will say water-baptism is the Name of God that doth consist in all good sutable to his Nature nor that to be baptized into the Name of God that consists in Light Love Wisdom Purity Strength Fruitfulness c. that this is into material water But the truth is in the baptism of the spirit which consists in power from on high we are dipt and washed in the pure River of the water of life that proceeds from the Lord God and from the Lamb and this is the onely baptism in Christs pure and spiritual kingdom which consists in spiritual fire and spiritual water and this spiritual fire will lick up all our earthly waters and quite destroy them In a word this fire and water of the spirit burns up destroys wasteth away and cleanseth us from all filthiness both of spirit soul and body in which way we do come to live in the name and nature of God in holiness and righteousness And thus we may see that material water is not the Name of God nor to be baptized into the Name of God is not into earthly waters but it is into Life Light Love Wisdom Truth c. yea into the divine nature for as we have first been partakers of the earthly even the old man which is corrupt and sinful So in the baptism of the spirit we do partake of the new name or are made new men in him who is the Lord from heaven and such a baptism is onely suitable to all power in heaven and earth which is able to write the Name of God upon his people and in them and whosoever do call themselves by the name of God or are called by his name from any outward form in the time of râ—formation and have not the name of God written within them they are bastards and not children of God it is onely the spirit and spiritual power and work of the spirit that do or that can interest us into the name of God So we conclude the Commission is spiritual and consists in spiritual baptism even power from on high sutable to the person that gave it and also to the dispensation which was wholly spiritual and so interests us into the name of God which our earthly water cannot do for that cannot interest us into eternal Love Light and all good as spirit-baptism can and doth Obj. 17. The Commission cannot be as you say to baptize men into the Name of God or Father Son and Spirit because it is not mans work to baptize with the Spirit but it is the work of Christ alone to baptize us with the Spirit and thereforâ— we affirm that no man can baptize with the Spiriâ— into the Spirit c. Answ 1. First I would propound one thing to you as unto reasonable creatures and it is this Whether you do think that God doth speak unto men by means or without means And whether God doth work by means or without means and if God do work upon creatures altogether without means then why do any of you call your selves Ministers of Christ and for what purpose you are or declare your selves to be Ministers 2 You do manifest abundance of ignorance in this not to distinguish between the efficient cause and the instrumental cause Now in the first place we ascribe the whole work of the baptism of the spirit unto God alone as the author and finisher thereof in spirit and
practise then you have for water-baptism and that will be more in force when the other doth appear to be no Ordinance at all But now to the latter part of your Objection that this is the way to bring in ranting principles if we deny water-baptism to be an Ordinance c. First must carnal liberty be brought into the Church of Christ if that be not set up and practised there which Christ never commanded this is very strange 2 Is this the way to bring in carnal liberty and ranting principles among believers to exalt the work of all power in heaven and earth I thought that creature-exaltation self-seeking and setting up idols had been the way to bring in carnal liberty and ranting principles when these things are imposed upon creatures to make up an out-side society then take heed of ranting 3 God doth according to his promise write his righteous and holy just and good laws in his peoples hearts and puts his fear in them that so they may never depart from him and hath said they shall not depart from him any more and that he will be their God and they shall be his people that he will live in them and dwell among them and they shall be all taught of him and great shall be their peace c. Now I hope this is not the way to bring in ranting principles and carnal liberty among the people of God who are thus taught of God and do live in the law of the spirit of life that is in Christ who is their life and their all The Law of God written in his peoples hearts doth no way bring in ranting principles into their mindes but these that is unto the kingdom of the devil and antichrist that do consist in sin and all unrighteousness and in empty forms traditions and precepts of men who proceed from fleshly and carnal principles in the world and carnal Church And I must tell you that the Law of God written in his peoples hearts and mindes this is the most rantingest principle to these that can be upon the face of the earth therefore when God writes his Laws in his peoples hearts and brings forth the new creation in them and so makes them partakers of the divine nature then let antichrist and all his carnal priviledges look for a final rooting out and an eternal destruction For the life and power of godlimess wrought in the people of God by a divine principle destroys all empty carnal and formal and traditional outside Religion in them that proceeds from antichrist which proceeds from carnal principles of flesh and blood The Law of God in the new nature destroys the Law of sin and flesh in the old nature with the very corrupt nature it self The life of God in his people or rather God living in them destroys the dead works of sin and flesh in them the power of God from on high being present in his people destroys the power of sin in them the wisdom of God in his people destroys the wisdom of the flesh in them The work of God in his people in the new creation brought forth in them destroys the works of sin and antichrist in their old nature yea the whole body of sin it self Yea the work of God in the new man is the onely ranting principle to antichrist the whole mystery of iniquity and man of sin for it makes it all flie in pieces before it even all the gross darkness and corruption and filthiness of the flesh with all the false light in the flesh and spirit of man with all empty forms and carnal observations c. all goeth down when God appears in his people in the brightness of his coming in spirit and power from on high in the hidden man of the heart And now where are your Ranting principles and carnal liberty you so much speak of to fall upon those that obey not your carnal Ordinances it falls altogether upon time-servers outside-professors self-seekers c. but not upon those that worship God in spirit and truth For the Grace of God that bringeth salvation to light in the souls of his people teacheth them to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live godly righteously and soberly in this present world and this proves Ranting principles to be nothing but the whole body of sin which is contrary to the divine principle that God brings forth in his Temple therefore take heed of throwing dirt in the face of truth and of slandering the Grace of God shed abroad in his peoples hearts the onely principle of true holiness and righteousness Do you think nothing can keep us from Ranting principles but a little cold water why then have so many that have gone under water fallen also under Ranting principles Obj. 23. Several baptisms were used in the primitive times and water-baptism is nowhere forbid in Scripture therefore we may use it still c. Answ 1. If the truth were not a mystery then antichrist might understand it but God is pleased to declare the truth in a mystery that so those that receive it not in the love of it may be blinded and so given up to strong delusions to believe lies as it is appointed for the antichristian world man of sin and mystery of iniquity 2 Thes 2. in which the antichristian world is deceived and blinded even to this day 2 Paul teacheth one baptism unto the Church of the Ephesians Eph. 4. 5. and doubtless Paul would not leave out another baptism viz. water if it had been any one bond of the true Churches unity seeing he doth reckon up seven which are a perfect number And that we may not be mistaken in the true understanding of this baptism Paul here speaks of he satisfies us what baptism it is 1 Cor. 12. 13. for by one spirit are we all baptized into one body whether Jews or Gentiles whether bond or free and have been all made to drink into one Spirit So here Paul bears witness to the one and onely baptism of the New-Testament which witness is enough to satisfie those who are satisfied with the truth it self But you will say that baptism spoke of Ephes 4. 5. is one baptism of a sort and that this is the meaning of the place c. First this is more then the word declares and so we have no ground to build where there is no foundation 2 If you make an addition unto this part of the words namely one baptism and put in this word here one of a sort then we must put this word unto the sense of all the rest of the bonds of the true Churches unity mentioned in this place And then we must read it thus One body of a sort one spirit of a sort one hope of a sort one Lord of a sort one faith of a sort one baptism of a sort and one God of a sort And now let all that have eyes to see behold the gross blindness and more then Egyptian