can be shown for the laying it wholly aside and upholding their Dipping into or Sprinkling with Water Altho' we find not one word in all the Holy Scripture that ever our Lord dipped or sprinkled any with or into Water or that ever he commanded his Disciples to dip or sprinkle either Men Women or Infants But to see Men leap over this of washing of Feet that was both done by Christ Jesus and commanded to be done by his Disciples telling them They ought to do as he had done unto them and yet this to be laid wholly aside and Dipping and Sprinkling in or with Water pleaded so highly for as a Gospel-Ordinance in the Church to remain to the end of the World without either Precept Example or Command from Christ Jesus to be found in all the Holy Scriptures This indeed is cause of Admiration Grief and Sorrow of Heart For he gave them many precious Commandments one of which he calls a New Commandment That they should love one another as said he I have loved you that you also love one another For by this shall all Men know that you are my Disciples if ye have Love one to another And if ye love me keep my Commandments Again Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me Abide in me and I in you as the Branch cannot bear fruit of it self except it abide in the Vine no more can ye except ye abide in me Without me ye can do nothing If ye abide in me and my words abide in you ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you As the Father hath loved me so I have loved you continue ye in my love If ye keep my Commandments ye shall abide in my love and this is my Commandment that ye love one another as I have loved you and these things I command you that ye love one another After he tells them of the Coming of the Spirit of Truth saying He shall testifie of me and ye also shall bear witness and said Hitherto ye have asked nothing in my Name Ask and ye shall receive that your Ioy may be full In all this here is nothing said much less commanded for water-Water-Baptism nor doth Matthew Mark and Luke make mention of water-Water-Baptism being either commanded or practised by Christ Jesus Nor can we find that ever our Lord took notice of it at any time so as he himself to Baptize or to command any Man after Iohn to Baptize into Water And in Acts the first Chapter the Apostle begins thus The former Treatise have I made of all that Iesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up and yet not one word in all this that Jesus did ever baptize any or said to any of his Followers Baptize into Water So that we cannot find that amongst all he began to say and do until the day he was taken up he ever said or did that The Apostle goes on farther saying After he through the Holy Ghost had given Commandment to us to whom he shewed himself after his Passion speaking to them of the things appertaining to the Kingdom of God And what not one word of water-Water-Baptism nor one Command given for that Let the Apostle answer And Christ being assembled with them commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem but wait for the Promise of the Father which said he you have heard of me For John verily baptized with Water but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence But he doth not say Iohn baptized with Water and do you so also No such word But Verse 8. Ye shall receive Power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you and ye shall be Witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and unto the uttermost parts of the Earth So that it seems clear to me that Iohn's water-Water-Baptism did not impower them to be Witnesses unto Christ through the whole World therefore there was need of such a Baptism as would fit them or impower them for the Work the Lord had for them to do No Iohn knew that when he said I baptize with Water but there comes one after me who is preferred before me he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost c. His Fan is in his hand his Power is in his hand thorowly to purge his Floor to gather his Wheat into his Garner and to burn up the Chaff with unquenchable Fire But there is not that power in Water to fan and throughly purge nor to impower Men to be Witnesses to Christ to the uttermost parts of the Earth Well Iohn baptized with Water not with the Holy Ghost Acts 19.2 3. They that had been baptized unto Iohn's Baptism had not so much as heard whether there was any Holy Ghost But Christ baptizes with the Holy Ghost not with Elementary Water Iohn 1.26 33. but tells them Iohn did Acts 1.5 But do not find that ever Christ did or commanded his Disciples so to do but tells them they should be baptized with the Holy Ghost but did not command them at all to baptize with Water either before or after his Passion Methinks Reason it self tells us that had our Lord intended Water-Baptism should have continued unto the end of the World he would have said so when he spoke of it to them at such a Juncture as this was Acts 1. But instead of that he tells them of another which he knew far exceeded Iohn's for Iohn's was but the Type and Figure this the Substance and would fit them for the Work of God which is a Spiritual Work and is only done in and by the Spirit and Power of God For when they were baptized with the Holy Ghost they received Power and did stand up true Witnesses unto Christ Jesus Oh! It 's worthy our Observations how Christ tells them They should receive Power after the Holy Ghost was come upon them and should be Witnesses c. So it 's clear Iohn's Baptism left them short of Power and of the Holy Spirit also but Christ's Baptism impowered them to be Witnesses after they had it And all that fall short of this Baptism of Christ fall short of Power to be Living Witnesses for Christ. Therefore the Apostles tarried at Ierusalem and waited as they were commanded for the Baptism of Christ and did not run in their own Will or Wisdom or in their own Name or Strength to bear witness to him or to preach him to all Nations but stay'd until they were made able to go in the Spirit and Power of God and with words the Holy Ghost gave them Object But it 's objected from Matt. 28.19 Go teach all Nations baptizing them in or into the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost and says some this is water-Water-Baptism Answ. But for the sake of the Honest Enquirer let us consider First Here is no Water mentioned in this place therefore no ground for such an
Death being come over all for that all had sinned so he suffered for us the Just for the Unjust that he might bring us to God and they that take up his Cross deny themselves and follow him and share with him of his Cup of his Sufferings and of his Baptism So I hope I need say no more of this to shew there is a baptizing dipping or plunging into other things besides Water and that this and not outward Water tends throughly to wash purge purifie and make clean the Soul Spirit and Bodies of Men and Women and bring them to be Vessels of Honour fit for the Masters use and service So here is neither need nor ground for Sprinkling at all no neither dipping nor plunging in Water nor any lasting Command or Institution that can be shewn tho' we grant some Apostles did use water-Water-Baptism for a time not seeing fully through things at first as they did afterwards yet they had no Command for it for Christ himself Baptized none with Water nor gave his Apostles any Commission to do it so that after some time that they grew up to Man's state in Christ Jesus they came to see as Paul saith When I was a Child I spoke as a Child I thought as a Child I understood as a Child but when I became a Man I put away childish things and then they more fully preached Christ the Substance and that in him all fullness dwelt and that Christ was not now entered into the Holy Places made with Hands which are Figures of the true but into Heaven itself now to appear in the presence of God for us Heb 9.24 And Verse 14. The Blood of Christ who through the Eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your Consciences from dead works to serve the Living God So that it 's clear Christ is not in the Figures but in Heaven itself and they that enjoy him are where he is and have their Conversation there where he sits and reigns so the Substance is come and is preached and testified of to whom the Prophets bare witness and testified beforehand of his Sufferings and the Glory that should follow This is he that knows every State and is the End of every Type Figure and Shadow as Peter saith speaking of Noah's Ark 1 Pet 3.21 22. wherein few that was Eight Souls were saved comes now to shew that even as the Ark saved them so the Antitype Baptism now saveth us What Baptism I Answer That Baptism of the Spirit or being Baptized into that which saves us now from the Deluge of Sin which destroyeth the World now even Baptism into Christ into his Name for there is no other Name given by which we can be saved this I say saves Men as fully now from Sin and so from Death as Noah's Ark saved him and those that were with him from the Flood that then destroyed the Old World and as Peter further saith Not the putting or washing away the filth of the Flesh but the answer of a good Conscience towards God by the Resurrection of Christ Iesus who is gone into Heaven and is on the Right Hand of God Angels Authorities and Powers being made subject unto him and what must not Types and Figures give way to him Doth not Peter clearly shew it was not outward washing the filth of the Flesh but the cleansing of the Heart and Conscience For he saw plainly beyond the outward Water-washing to the inward washing with Water by the Word Christ Jesus that he might present unto himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish Eph. 5.26 27. So here is a washing that exceeds Moses's Laver and Iohn's Iordan washing for it makes clean the inside and these are inward Iews or Iews inward for as they were not Iews that were Iews outward who only had the Type or Figure and came no farther but were of the Synagogue of Satan no more are they Christians that were only so outward And tho' they say they are Christians yet they are unregenerate unclean within unwashed with the blood of Christ yea they are of the Synagogue of Satan Rev. 2.9 and so it was called Blasphemy of Old as you may see in this Scripture to say they were Iews and were not and what is it now Doth it not blast the Fame of Christ Jesus and his great Name for Men to say they are Christians and are not Oh! therefore take Christ's Counsel come unto him be baptized of him washed by him sanctified by him made new Creatures in him and by him and be Disciples Followers Subjects and Obeyers of him so that whatever he bids you do ye may do it in his own Name and dwell in his Kingdom of Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost for all outward Dipping and Sprinkling in or with Water leaves Men and Women out of the Kingdom of God short of Enjoyment of God short of Eternal Life short of Power to become Sons of God short of Mount Sion the City of the Living God the Heavenly Ierusalem short of the innumerable Company of Angels and of the General Assembly and Church of the First-born which are written in Heaven and of the Spirits of Just Men made perfect and of Jesus the Mediator of the the New Covenant and of the Blood of Sprinkling mark not Water sprinkling that blood that speaks better things than that of Abel See now that ye refuse not him that speaks from Heaven for he speaks with Authority and not as the Scribes Hypocrites and High-Priests for if they escaped not that refused him that spoke on Earth much more shall not we escape if we turn away from him that speaks from Heaven whose Voice then shook the Earth but now he hath promised saying Yet once more I shake not the Earth only but the Heavens also and this word yet once more signifies the removing of those things that are shaken as of things that are made that those things that cannot be shaken may remain so that those things that are made and are shakeable things though they be Heavens if shakeable if made they give place to the New Heavens in which dwells Righteousness that cannot be shaken so the Rock of Ages the sure Foundation the Durable Riches of the Gentiles the Lasting Treasure the Life that 's Eternal the Son that abides in the House for ever he remains for all the Ends of the Earth to look unto and be saved for all Nations to flow unto and be safe who hath all Power in Heaven and in Earth therefore all People that read this be exhorted to turn in all your Minds to the Appearance of Christ in all your Hearts and come unto him in Spirit for he appears by his Spirit in your inward Man and lets you see your States and Conditions lets you see all your Thoughts Words Deeds Secret Lusts and Vile Affections if ye give heed unto it
Paul speaks of again in 1 Cor. 12.13 By one Spirit we are all baptized into one Body and have been all made to drink into one Spirit this makes all People in Christ Jesus one and this Paul saith again There is one Lord one Faith one Baptism Eph. 4.5 Now Paul wholly ascribes the initiating or bringing in of all Men whether Iew or Greek Bond or Free Male or Female into the Church or into the Body of Christ which is the Church unto the Baptism of Christ by his own Spirit and tells us again in Eph. 4.4 5. There is one Body and one Spirit even as you are called in one Hope one Lord one Faith one Baptism one God and Father of all Now had Paul looked upon Iohn's Baptism to have been Commanded Mat. 28.19 and so must have been in place to the end of the World how could he pass it by and only say there is one Baptism For Iohn did baptize into Water and it was a Baptism a real Dipping or Plunging into Water and so a real Baptism was Iohn's And Christ's Baptism is a real Baptism a real Dipping or Plunging into his pure Name Power Spirit yea into Christ so as to put him on and to be as Branches in the Vine and to walk in him in his Spirit in his Life Love Light c. yea to be what we are in Christ and to do whatsoever we do in the Name of Christ so then is not here two Baptisms And if one be not the Figure Fore-runner of the other and gave place to it but are both Figure and Substance Servant and Son continued together to the end of the World How could Paul miss saying There is one Lord one Faith and two Baptisms But it 's clear he said otherwise who said He could do nothing against the Truth but for it And both Moses and Elias or Iohn the Baptist were suddenly taken away in the Mount upon the Motion made for three Tabernacles and Christ only left and the word was This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased hear him so here Christ alone is Exalted over all and hath all Power Objection But say some He doth not say there is but one Baptism Answer Nor doth he say there is but one God but one Lord but one Faith but one Hope c. What then May we say there is any more God forbid No doubt but Paul knew what he said and that Iohn's Baptism was but a Figure and was observed in it's time and place but when the Substance came the Shadows were decreasing and passing away though I do not say that the Apostle did see all Figures Shadows and Types actually at an end so soon as it came no more did they immediately see that in Mat. 28. Go ye therefore teach all Nations did take in Gentiles as well as Iews For it 's clear from Acts 10.11 that neither Peter nor the Apostles at Ierusalem did all fully see until then that God is no respecter of persons that in every nation he that fears God and works Righteousness is accepted of him and when Paul clearly saw he had a mind the People of God should see also viz. that the fulness of time was come pray what fulness was this Was it not the Figures Shadows and Types of the Law which had their full time when Christ was offered up and must now have place no longer but give place to the Son the Heir that redeems out of all Bondage and gives us to receive the Adoption of Sons even the Spirit of Adoption into our Hearts by which we cry Abba Father And the Son abides for ever hath an unchangeable Priesthood and is Heir of all things and we in him being Sons are Heirs of God and Joint-Heirs with Christ so no longer under Servants Tutors or Governours but are by Christ redeemed unto God to walk with him and worship him in Spirit and in Truth But saith this Apostle again Verse 9. Now after you have known God or rather are known of God how turn ye a-again to the weak and beggarly Elements whereunto ye desire again to be in Bondage Can outward Water be excluded out of this Sentence Is it not as weak and beggarly as other Elements are And if this had not been in his Eye as well as others would he have been so general in that word Elements and take no care to preserve Water in use if it was to be used to the end of the World For it is no more than an Element Object But some may object these Galatians were for entangling themselves with observing days times months years circumcision c. Answ. I answer It 's very plain to unbyassed Men that this Apostle of the Gentiles never used one word to shew any more regard or respect to Water-Baptism than to any other Figures and Shadows and it is no more nor ever was any more than a bare Figure and why it must have place with the Substance and not give place now as all other Figures must I see no sound Reason for But he tells these Galatians further Chap. 4.4 When the fullness of time was come what then God sent his son well then ye are no longer under Servants Tutors c. for God hath highly exalted his Son and given him all Power both in Heaven and in Earth that in all things he may have the Preheminence It 's true but is Christ only without any thing else being joined unto him all in all unto all Mankind I answer Yea and Paul tells these very People Chap. 3.26 27 28. Ye are all the Children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus for as many of you as have been Baptized into Christ have put on Christ there is neither Iew nor Greek Bond nor Free Male nor Female for ye are all one in Christ Iesus and if Christ's then are ye Abraham's seed and Heirs according to promise And in Ephes. 1.7 to the 12th Verse We have Redemption through his Blood the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his Grace wherein he hath abounded towards us having made known unto us the Mystery of his Will that in the Dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ both which are in Heaven and which are on Earth even in him Here Christ is preached and Christ only in him it pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell and him only hath God Exalted to be both King and Priest to give repentance and remission of sin Oh! did Men know God know Christ Jesus know the Holy Spirit of Life that was before all Types Figures and Shadows were they would not turn from or desire again to be in Bondage unto weak and beggarly Elements that cannot make such as come thereunto perfect as pertaining to the Conscience but now here is one come that can and hath by one Offering perfected for ever them that are Sanctified by him and saves to the utmost all
18. Even as Peter said In the Name of Iesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk so the Lord was with them and wrought mightily and manifested his great Power in them and with them So the Apostles declared the Work was done by the Lord Chap. 14.27 When Paul had bidden the Impotent Man Stand upright on thy Feet he leaped and walked and came and rehearsed to the Church all that God had done with them and how he had opened a Door of Faith unto the Gentiles And likewise in Chap. 15.4 when they came unto Ierusalem were received of the Church there and of the Apostles and Elders they declared all things that God had done with them so the Lord being with them as he is at this Day with his Ministers who is the strength of his People it is Christ the great Power of God that reaches the Hearts and Souls of People through his Vessels or Instruments and Servants so the Work is the Lord's done by him and carried on in and by his Spirit Power and Wisdom so the Glory of the Power is due to him For Men as Men are not sufficient for these things nor of themselves are able to think a good thought 2 Cor. 3.5 Nor without Christ who hath all Power we as men can do nothing Ioh. 15.5 Neither can any Man receive any thing but what is given him from above Iohn 3.27 So all Boasting is excluded for it is the Power of God that is with Men rests upon Men and works in Men for Men and by Men and is sufficient to all and for all in every Work and Service the Lord requires So that all that live and abide in the Name of the Lord and do what they do in it they do it to his Praise and Glory By this time I hope it 's clear that the Name is the Power and that the Lord that sent them to teach all Nations Baptizing them into the Name c. did go with them and according to his Promise he is with them that are sent forth of him and will be to the end of the World and is the Baptizer of Men into his own Name Spirit Life Light and Love and it 's also clear that those whom he thus Baptizeth he sends them forth goes with them and makes them Instrumental in his own Name Power Spirit Life Light and Love for the Baptizing of others into the same so that all those that do run to preach and teach before they be Baptized with this Baptism of Christ Jesus they run before they be sent and therefore they cannot nor do not profit the People at all neither do they know Christ or his Name nor have heard his Voice or seen his Appearance to their Joy Object But some object and say There was some method to be used or means for the effecting this Baptism Answ. I Answer Yea and if we observe Christ's words Go teach all Nations Baptizing them c. So whilst Men are teaching in the Name there is a baptizing into the Name Experimentally witnessed and felt by such as hear the Word believe it and receive it in Love Oh blessed be God there are many at this Day can Seal to this Truth that whilst Men stand up and teach in the Name of God behold the Name of Christ the Power of God comes over many sometimes most if not all in the Assembly and are so deeply dipped or plunged into it that they are much tendered melted shaken and broken and laid very low before the Lord whose Power alone makes his people a willing People in the Day of his power for it 's he that works all his own Works in us and for us both to will and to do of his own good Pleasure Therefore let all Flesh be silent before the Lord for the Flesh profits nothing it is the Spirit that quickens the words that I speak unto you said Christ they are Spirit and Life and all that have received him who is a quickning Spirit and are alive in him and in his Spirit these know his Words and his Voice from the Voice of Strangers Oh what is Man then out of the Name Power and Spirit of Jesus Or wherein is he to be accounted of All the Power is Christ's and the Baptism is Christ's and Baptized Men are made Instrumental in his Hand for the carrying on of his Work that without him can do nothing For all that is done by them is done in the ability that God gives and the Praise is due to God not to Man To God over all be it given for ever Now Christ being Head of the Body the true Church and the Life Light Power Wisdom Righteousness yea all in all in every Member it 's he that brings every Member into it's right place and service in the Church or Body of Christ and their Faith stands in his Power and Name and is one in every Member so they know one Head or Lord and one Faith which he is the Author and Finisher of and one Baptism by one Spirit and one Body or true Church of Christ and all are made to drink into one Spirit and are all fed and nourished by the Head Christ Jesus the true Vine in whom every Branch is nourished fed and kept living faithful and fruitful to his Praise and Glory Object But say some The word Baptize signifies to dip or plunge into Water Answ. I grant Iohn's Baptism was with Water but Christ's Baptism was with the Holy Ghost and with Fire Mat. 3.11 and of a purifying Nature and Christ spoke of the Spirit being in those that believe in him as a Well of Living Water and elsewhere it is called the Spirit of Judgment and of Burning and saith the Apostle Our God is a consuming Fire And Men as before asserted are Baptized into Christ and put him on And let me ask my Reader Is not God that 's said to be a Consuming Fire and Christ and his Name and Spirit all one And doth not the Apostle direct his Epistles to the Church which is in God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ see 1 Thess. 1. and 2. Thess. 1. And if in God then in Christ if in Christ then in the Holy Ghost and if so then in the Name yea in the Life Light Love Wisdom and Righteousness of God But do these Men think a Man cannot be dipped or plunged into any thing but Water And are not many plunged into great Sin Misery and deep Bondage Captivity and Thraldom So that few think or believe they can ever get out whilst they live yea too many lie here But what were they of old plunged into that were Baptized unto Moses in the Cloud and Sea Pray where was Moses then Did not he abide in the Power of God and in Faith And was not the Israelites got out of the Faith and out of the Power of God when they looked back at the Host of Pharaoh And who Baptized them unto Moses Was
with the Affections and Lust thereof so are Holy and Righteous People in all Conversation and Godliness in Christ Jesus and so bring Honour to the Name of Jesus in whom they live being Baptized into him and so into his Power or Name and are what they are in him who is all in all But alas for Men to talk or make mention of the Name of the Lord who instead of departing from Iniquity do drink it up as the Ox drinks Water and are in the Power of Satan and are Instrumental to plunge one another into sin and urge their Neighbours to drink in excess until they be Inflamed drawing one another into Oaths Whoredoms Pride Malice Envy Covetousness Strife Contention Fightings Bloodshed and what not that 's Evil these do highly dishonour the Name of Christ before all Nations and give both Iews and Heathens occasion to Blaspheme that Holy Name of Jesus which they make Profession of these can say well but alas they do ill pretend unto great things but live ill talk yea may be preach against Pride yet live in it against Cruelty and Oppression and yet live in it in a Word against Sin Iniquity and Transgression yet live in it and so strengthen those in it that hear them talk and Preach against it by their living in it these have Words without good Works yea Faith without Works say well and do ill have a form I do not say a form of Godliness but deny the Power so are like those of old who said they were Iews but were not with whom God was highly displeased Revel These are Enemies to the Name of Christ do not know it nor what it is to be Baptized into it no it 's a Mystery hid from those Wise and Learned Prudent Ones but made known to Babes who are Born again of Incorruptible Seed the Word of God that lives and abides for ever these are Children of God in Christ Jesus have love to God and one to another yea to all Men do good to all but no harm to any prays for all in the Love of God and are as Candles upon Tables as Lights in the World who live worship and walk with God in his own Name and are taught of God so they meet in his pure Name pray preach sing and rejoyce in the Name of the Lord and in the Power of his Might and so are saved sanctified justified kept and preserved in his Living Name a Living People to praise him who is God of the Living not of the Dead These know Christ to be with them and make use of them and in his own Power makes them Instrumental for to Disciple People and Baptize them into the same Power And so the whole Life of Christ's Apostles Disciples and Messengers is of a preaching teaching Nature and those that are not called to Preach or Declare Verbally in Meetings are also in the same Power enabled to preach and teach in Life and Conversation and so all the people of God are Baptized into the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost and so into one Body by Christ the Second Adam the Lord from Heaven a Quickning Spirit and are all one in him Now this Baptism is beyond the reach of all Babylon's Merchants they cannot Sell this they have no part nor lot in this no more than Simon Magus had who thought the Gift of God might be bought for or purchased with Money no it is Christ's Baptism done alone by his own Arm and Power To him be praise for ever Object But because the word Baptize doth signify to dip or plunge 't is generally thought by many People that therefore it must be Water Ans. There is a Spiritual Baptism and a Temporal or Outward with Water which in the New Testament is called Iohn's Baptism which Temporal or Outward Baptism Men can imitate but the Inward Baptism of the Holy Ghost and Fire none knows but them that have it And this throughout the Scriptures is call'd the Baptism of Christ. And as Iohn's Disciples were enabled to carry on his Baptism in his Time and Season so Christ enables his Disciples by his Power to be instrumental in his Baptism to the end of the World So that as there was an outward Dipping or Plunging into Water by the Servant Iohn spoken of in the Scriptures so there is an inward Spiritual Dipping or Plunging by the Son into his own Name Power and Spirit c. as before is shewn And it 's only Ignorance that causes Men to think there can be no dipping but into Water or some liquid thing but our Lord Jesus Christ was deeply plunged into Sufferings and Death for us and he calls it a Baptism saying I have a Baptism to be Baptized with and how am I straitned untill it be accomplished Luke 12.50 And when the Mother of Zebedee's Children came to Christ to desire that one of her Son's might sit on his Right Hand and the other on his Left in his Kingdom he answered and said Ye know not what ye ask are ye able to drink of the Cup that I shall drink of and be Baptized with the Baptism that I am Baptized with They said they were he said They should indeed drink of the Cup and be baptized with the Baptism that he was baptized with c. Mat. 20.22 23. Oh this Cup was a Cup he prayed to the Father that if it was possible might pass from him nevertheless says he not as I will but as thou wilt And again Oh Father if this Cup may not pass from me except I drink it thy will be done Mat. 26.39 42. And in Luke 22.43 44. there appeared an Angel unto him from Heaven strengthening him and being in an Agony he prayed more earnestly as his Sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground Oh consider this Baptism all that read this and see if you have been Baptized with it and have drunk of this Cup yea or nay for you may plainly see this was a Baptism that neither dipped our Saviour into Water or any other outward liquid thing but into deep Sorrow Grief and Bitterness of Soul And I desire my Reader to take notice that Paul to the Romans Chap. 6. speaks of being Baptized into Christ and into his Death and I declare it all those that are Baptized by one Spirit into one Body they are partakers with Christ and his Body the Church of his and it's Sufferings but said the Apostle further If ye suffer with him ye shall also reign with him c. Now see how deeply our Lord Jesus Christ was plunged into deep Sufferings Agony and Sorrow so that he Prayed earnestly and swear drops as it were of blood falling down to the ground and much more read all his Sufferings on the Cross and elsewhere is not this rightly called a Baptism a deep dipping or plunging when he said My God my God why hast thou forsaken me So he was Baptized for the Dead
Objection The great Apostle of the Gentiles understood it not at all to relate to water-Water-Baptism as is clear from his own words 1. Cor. 1.11 Christ sent me not to Baptize but to Preach the Gospel and we never read that he baptized any with Water after But in Vers. 23. saith We preach Christ crucified to the Jews a stumbling-block and unto the Greeks foolishness but unto them which are called both Jews and Greeks Christ the Power of God and the Wisdom of God Consider if Christ be not sufficient without Water-Baptism take the Apostle's words in Vers. 30 31. But of him are ye in Christ Iesus who of God is made unto us Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption that as it is written Let him that glorieth glory in the Lord. Here Christ alone is exalted and preached to be all we have to glory in and enough too for in him all Fulness dwells Secondly Is it not plain and full that water-Water-Baptism is not at all intended Matt. 28.19 for Christ saith plainly Go teach all Nations Baptizing them in or them into in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost Here is a vast difference between Men being baptized into outward Water and sent to Baptize into the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost for they were now to enter upon a more Excellent Baptism they had been Baptizing with Water before that but now they were to be Baptized into the Name Spirit and Power of God that then they therein might be Instrumental in Christ's Hand who was and would be with them to the End of the World for the Baptizing others into this Name that believed through their Word Thirdly Christ knew that in his Name they would be made capable both to speak to go and to Baptize Men effectually Hitherto saith Christ ye have asked nothing in my Name but bids them ask And a little before Verily verily I say unto you Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my Name he shall give it you So it 's clear Christ's Mind was to have them acquainted with and baptized into the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost John 16.23 So in his Prayer Iohn 17.6 he saith I have manifested thy Name unto the Men which thou gavest me What is here meant by this Name Is it not his Power Had not the great and holy Power of God been made manifest unto them that had been with him and seen his Mighty Works raising the Dead healing the Sick cleansing Lepers opening Blind Eyes making the Dumb to speak the Deaf to hear the Lame to walk casting out Devils turning Water into Wine feeding Thousands with few Loaves and Fishes Did not these Works plainly manifest the Lord's Power or Name that is above every Name So in Vers. 11. he prayeth thus Holy Father keep through thy own Name those whom thou hast given me that they may be one as we are Vers. 12. While I was with them in the World I kept them in thy Name And Vers. 26. I have declared unto them thy Name and will declare it that the Love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them and I in them Now is it not plain from all this that the Name is the Power so he had kept kept them in the Power had manifested the Power unto them or declared the Power and would declare it So the Power of the Father Son and Spirit is manifested declared and made known unto them that receive Christ Jesus and are baptized into him into his Name Power Spirit c. and these know the Love of God made manifest in them and to them So now Christ Jesus in Matt. 28. spake unto them saying All Power is given unto me both in Heaven and in Earth Go ye therefore and teach all Nations Baptizing them into the Name c. Now the word Go ye therefore seems to carry with it a plain Demonstration of Christ's Mind that now all Power was his both in Heaven and in Earth he would therefore have all Nations both taught and brought into his Power and baptized into it so as to be saved by it For there is no other Power or Name by which any can be saved but by the Power or Name of Iesus for all Power is his both in Heaven and in Earth This was a great Work but for their Incouragement he also tells them Lo I am with you always even to the end of the World And surely I may say if he be with his People to the end what is it that can be too hard for him and them he makes use of For all Power is with them For as many as receive him to them he gives Power to become the Sons of God according to Iohn 1.12 Even to them that believe in his Name These are they that are baptized Dipped or Plunged into his Power or Name yea into Christ and have put him on and in him are one whether they be Iews or Greeks Male or Female all are one in Christ Jesus and Christ is one in all Gal. 3.27 These are in Christ New Creatures and come forth in his Name to the Glory and Honour of him whose is the Power for him only hath God exalted and given him a Name or Power above every Name yea a more excellent Name than Angels Heb. 1.4 It 's said He that Sanctifieth and they who are Sanctified are all of one for which Cause he is not ashamed to call them Brethren And when he appeared unto Paul he said I have appeared unto thee for this purpose to make thee a Minister and a Witness both of those things which thou hast seen and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee delivering thee from the People and from the Gentiles unto whom now I send thee to open their Eyes a great work and turn them from Darkness to Light and from the Power of Satan unto God that they may receive Remission of Sins and an Inheritance amongst them that are Sanctified by Faith that is in me Acts 26.16 17 18. Here is not Figures or Shadows mention'd no here is good things themselves to have Eyes opened is very good to be turned from Satan's Power to God to have Remission of Sins to be Sanctified and receive the Inheritance of such as are Sanctified is very good durable Riches indeed Faith in Christ is very Good and Precious Glory to him for ever But not one word of sending him back again to the Figure viz. Iohn's Water-Baptism nor have them who are in Chief to whom all Power is given any need of it And pray if they had what would it do for them Can it reach either Heart or Conscience What good Fruits follow our Sprinkling of Infants and Dippers Can any Sanctifie but Christ Doth not the Apostle say as before He that Sanctifieth and they who are Sanctified are all of one Heb. 2.11 12. For which cause he is not ashamed to call them Brethren So Christ is the Washer
Sanctifier and Purifier of all his Brethren and Members of his Body or Church and People and nothing else can for as the Work is his so the Power is his and the Glory of the Power is due to him who is Greater than Iohn c. So if Christ wash thee not thou hast no part in him John 13.8 And without Blood there is no Remission Heb. 9.22 It 's the Blood of Christ that cleanseth us from all Sin 1 John 1.7 9. Rev. 1.5 Now it 's clear from that full and clear Declaration of Christ to this Apostle of the Gentiles what he sent him to do and what Christ's Mind was to have done and did he send the rest of the Apostles with any less Authority Or to do any other Work And is not this a more excellent Work To turn People from Darknnss to Light and from Satan's Power unto God than to turn Men into Water or to sprinkle Water in the Faces of Infants and then say They are Sanctified and Changed Regenerated and Born again made new Creatures yea Children of God Members of Christ Inheritors of God's Kingdom and promise to deny the Devil and all his Works the Pomps and Vanities of this wicked World the sinful Lusts of the Flesh with all the Desires of the same so that they will not follow nor be led by them And also that they will believe all the Articles of the Christian Faith and keep God's holy Will and Commandments and walk in the same all the Days of their Life Doth not this set Christ aside and render him useless and ascribe that to Water-Baptism nay to Sprinkling that 's all wholly due to Christ as before is proved Oh where had you Commission for these things Who sent you that run into these things Shew us one tittle of any Command or Example for Sprinkling in all the Scripture how dare you say all these things are done by sprinkling Water in the Face of Infants and yet say there is none free from Sin on this side the Grave Are not New Creatures the Children of God Members of Christ Inheritors of God's Kingdom and deny the Devil and all his Works the Pomps and Vanities of this wicked World the sinful Lusts of the Flesh with all the desires of the same so that they will not follow nor be led by them and believe all the Articles of the Christian Faith and keeps God's Holy Will and Commandments and walk in the same all their days I say Are not these free from Sin that begin thus when they enter into the World and continue to their Lives end Oh consider these things People you that read and see how you are led and how the same Men that lead you thus to promise and avow teach you all your lives long to say You do those things you ought not and leave those things undone you ought to do and are miserable Sinners or Offenders having no Health in you Can Children of God Members of Christ be miserable Sinners then when they are in a Child's State and Members of Christ What Rule what Title of a Word can be shewed for these things in all Holy Scripture Is it not sadly to be lamented that People should be fed with Husk when there is Bread enough in God's House and to spare But Paul was sent upon a more profitable Work and all that are sent of God are sent to Turn People from Darkness to Light and from Satan's Power unto God Oh how few appear to be thus turned amongst the Professors of our Age So it 's clear what Christ sent Paul to do for Paul saith He sent me not to baptize 1 Cor. 1.17 but to preach the Gospel Now if Paul was not sent to Baptize as it 's clear he was not how then can we think in Reason that others were For he was not behind the chiefest of the Apostles as he himself affirms But he must needs be behind them if their Commission was larger than his but if not then it 's strange how Paul could miss of having a share in that Commission Matt. 28. If it was a Commission for Water-Baptism to them it must needs be so either to him or else he had no share in it and if he had no share in it then he was behind the other Apostles in that Now that that in Mat. 28. was a Commission for Water-Dipping and Sprinkling I deny neither did Paul understand it so at all for had he he would not nor could not have said as he did but I say if it was and he had no share in it how comes Men in our times to have Power from Mat. 28. to Dip and Sprinkle For Paul had none therefore let them tell us plainly or cease from deceiving the People But again we find that Paul Preached the Baptism of Christ and shews what it is very plainly in Rom. 6.3 Know ye not that so many of us as were Baptized into mark into Iesus Christ were Baptized into his death therefore we are buried with him by Baptism into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the Glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newness of life For if we have been planted together into the likeness of his Death we shall be also in the likeness of his Resurrection knowing this that our Old Man is Crucified with him that the body of sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sin for he that is dead is free from sin And verse 17. God be thanked that ye were the servants of sin but ye have obeyed from the Heart that Form of Doctrine which was delivered you Vers. 18. Being then made free from sin ye became the servants of Righteousness Vers. 22. But now being made free from sin and become servants to God ye have your Fruit unto Holiness and the end Everlasting Life for the wages of sin is Death but the Gift of God is Eternal Life through Iesus Christ our Lord. Come People all you that read this see if you yet know this Baptism into Christ into Death to sin and know the Old Man Crucified and put off and Christ the New Man put on that sets free from sin and makes Men Servants of God in Righteousness This Baptism is effectual to Salvation this is that we have all need of to be baptized with and if this Baptism be not known by us we fall short of freedom from sin and then the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is Eternal Life through Jesus Christ so in Christ is Life Eternal and they that are Baptized into Christ puts him on abides in him are alive unto God in him and dead to sin as the Apostle saith in the 2d verse How shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein There is surely a vast difference betwixt those that live in Christ and those that live in sin This is a fanning Baptism a cleansing purifying Baptism this
they that Worship God in the Spirit and are truly led and guided by the Spirit hear and know his Voice and are acquainted with his Operations Life Power and Vertue and can do nothing acceptable to God but what they do in it and so it rather may be said as in Truth it is That it is the Gift or Grace of God in them and by them that works both to Will and to Do of his own good pleasure Now all other Baptisms whatsoever that are not in the Spirit are of no profit for the Substance of all is come I say of all those Shadows Figures and Types which had their Day and in their Day were appointed to be used according to the appointment of the Father but were but for an appointed time until the Seed came to whom the Promise was made who is the Heir in whom all Fulness dwells mark that that in all things he might have the Preheminence For he alone of himself is sufficient and able to save to the uttermost them that come to God by him and him only without the help of any outward Washings legal Offerings and Oblations or whatever may be named or hath been named below himself either of things in Heaven or in the Earth they are all to give place for him only hath God highly Exalted and given him a Name above every Name that at his Name every thing though it hath been never so highly exalted should bow and that in all things he only who is Heir of all should rule as a Son over his own House For all these were but as Servants and were not to abide for ever I say all those Types and Shadows and whatsoever came before him tho' useful in their place and to be observed in their time yet were all to give place and pass away and not to abide for ever in the House for they were but as Servants and the Son is over all and 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 Servant's Services ended in that Nature gave place and were taken away he took away the First that he might establish the Second and that for ever which will never be removed into a Corner To him be all Glory wholly for ever So Iohn was also faithfull 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 foretold 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 â—â—y 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 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 Fore-runner 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 THAN HE THAT IS SENT For tho he came after me yet he is and ever 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 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 Now it 's true Iohn was a Burning and Shining Light but John received all from above but He that is 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 for ever Now that water-Water-Baptism or Baptizing into Water was only ascribed unto Iohn as having Commission both by our Saviour Christ and his Apostles and by â—â—hn himself see Matt. 3.11 15 16. Where Iohn affirms I faith Iohn I mark I indeed Baptize you with Water unto Repentance but mark here all ye Water-Baptists of all sorts mind this but HE that COMETH AFTER ME mark What then Iohn Thou must depart it seems if He must come after this word After signifies Iohn'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 Decrease for He is mightier than I whose Shoes 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 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 throughly purge his Floor and gather his Wheat into his Garner and burn up the Chaff with Fire unquenchable Well they might still have said Iohn This is a great Work but will he not own thee and thy Baptism and establish it with his for ever or to the end of the World mind Yes to the first part 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 to the Second He will not 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 denies 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 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 It 's 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 all the Law called for for he Humbled himself and became obedient as a Servant and serv'd it in it's time and place and fulfilled its Will and Requirements and not only so but bore all the Curse due to us that had broken it and been disobedient unto it and set us free from it was the end of the Law for Righteousness to us that believe So that we are not under the Law but under Grace or the Gift of God that brings Salvation to us who have not the Shadowy Works of the Law but are Believers in and Obeyers of him who is exalted both above the Law and the Prophets So also down into the Water he goes and fulfilled Iohn's Dispensation or that Righteousness required by it which when it was fulfilled he only was worthy to have place that had fulfilled it and having fulfilled it he went up straight-way out of the Water mark he did not there abide or stay but straight-way went out of the Outward thing and then came the Word of Power and the Heavens were opened and the Holy Ghost descended like a Dove and lighted on him then came the Voice from Heaven saying This is my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased Now is he Descended that is also Ascended and is now Established alone This is my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased Hear ye him He that hath Ears to hear let him hear what the Spirit saith Hear Him of whom Moses and all the Prophets and Iohn who was more than a Prophet spake for now he is come that is mightier than all and all Power is given unto him not unto him and Iohn nor unto him and Moses No But unto Him Him only hath God exalted to be both King and Priest unto Israel and He alone is established a Priest for ever of an Unchangeable Priesthood not Changeable nor Finite but for ever of an Unchangeable Priestood mark ye but not after the Order of Aaron nor after the Order of Iohn but after the Order of Melchizedec who met Abraham and blessed him him that overcame and blessed him and will give to him that overcomes to sit with him in his Throne as he hath overcome and is set down in his Father's Throne Not after the Order of a Carnal Commandment but after the Power of an Endless Life This is the Sun that cloathes the Woman who hath the Moon under her Feet therefore all changeable Dippings with Water and the least in his Kingdom is greater than Iohn tho' he was more than a Prophet Also in Mark 1.8 I indeed have baptized you with Water but He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost Also Luke 3.16 I indeed baptize with Water but one mightier than I cometh the Latchet of whose Shoe I am not worthy to unloose He shall mind baptize you with the Holy Ghost and Fire But he ever takes Water-Baptism to himself and never ascribes it to Christ Jesus but speaks of a greater Work to be done by him a Purging Purifying Refining Cleansing Work and Iohn's was but a Type of what was a coming and therefore ran before and hasted to give place to him that came after who alone is himself established in all things to have the Preheminence Now mark this word Fore-runner or one sent to run before one that runs makes haste away that he may finish his Course before his time be out Now it 's plainly said that as Iohn fulfilled his Course he said Whom think ye that I am I am not he Mind ye Iohn was not He not He that was to be established to abide for ever a Priest for ever of an Unchangeable Priesthood but was sent before him Therefore when the Apostle here comes in the 13th Chapter of the Acts and Verse 23 24 25. he speaks on this wise as he was preaching Christ Jesus not Iohn he was not I say preaching Iohn nor Iohn's Baptism but Christ the Seed of David Of this Man's Seed saith he hath God according to his Promise raised unto Israel a Sauiour Jesus When John had first preached before his Coming the Baptism of Repentance to all the People of Israel Mind ye all ye Baptizers in Water when Christ was raised unto Israel when Iohn had first preached before his Coming Mark Iohn had a Time we grant and own with all our Hearts but was it not before HIS Coming here spoken of But when his Course was fulfilled when Iohn had first preached the Baptism of Repentance first mind ye then God raised up to Israel a Saviour Oh! but Iohn could not save But Him whom God hath raised saveth to the uttermost them that come to God by him Him whom God hath raised And so Iohn honestly disclaims all the Honour due to Jesus Christ and as one afraid left the People should ascribe any of it to him said Whom think ye that I am As he fulfilled his Course mark that Iohn's Course was fulfilled I am not he but behold there cometh one after me whose Shoes of his Feet I am not worthy to loose Him Behold he is the Lamb of God that takes away the Sins of the World but I am not he And so in Verse 47. the Apostle comes to declare in much Plainness how that Christ is set and
established and he joyns none with him For so hath the Lord commanded us saith he saying I have set thee saith the Lord to be a Light to the Gentiles that THOU mark not Thou and Iohn nor Thou and Moses but in the singular Term Thou that Thou shouldest be for Salvation unto the ends of the Earth Isai. 49.6 But again in Iohn 1.2 26. The People came to Iohn and asked him saying unto him Why Baptizest thou if thou be not that Christ neither Elias nor that Prophet Iohn answer'd them saying I Baptize with Water mark but there standeth one among you whom you know not He it is who coming after me is preferred before me whose Shoes Latchet I am not worthy to unloose These things were done in Bethabara beyond Iordan where Iohn was baptizing The next day Iohn seeth Jesus coming unto him and faith Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the Sins of the World This is he of whom I said After me cometh a Man that is preferred before me for he was before me and I knew him not but that He might be made manifest to Israel therefore am I come Baptizing with Water Mark The End of Iohn's Baptism was That HE might be made manifest to Israel therefore am I come baptizing with Water So then this was the Service of Iohn's Baptism and it served for this Purpose and to this end That Christ might be made manifest And so Iohn bare Record of him and Preached him and not himself but cryed Behold the Lamb of God look not at me behold not me nor the Lamb of God and me no he never joyn'd himself to Him but said I am sent before Him and now he is come behold Him the Lamb of God He taketh away the Sins of the World But look not now at me I am not that Light but am sent before a Witness and am come Baptizing that He might be made manifest and if He were manifest to Israel then were my Desire answered and the End of my Labour in water-Water-Baptism accomplished so that they might believe in him Iohn bare Record saying I saw the Spirit descending like a Dove and it abode upon him and I knew him not but he that sent me to Baptize with Water said unto me Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining on him the same is he that baptizeth with the Holy Ghost And I saw and bare Record that this is the Son of God See how plainly Iohn preached Christ and his Baptism and all along put this Distinction I Baptize with Water He with the Holy Ghost and Fire I must Decrease He must Increase But they might have said Why John why must thou decrease Why Iohn might have said Because my Baptism is but of Water that he might be made manifest But his Baptism is with the Holy Ghost and Fire a Baptism that exceeds mine as far as the Light of the Sun exceeds the Light of the Moon So it 's clear that Iohn was sent to Baptize with Water and Christ was sent to Baptize with the Holy Ghost and Fire And Christ fulfilled Iohn's and the Law and all the Righteousness required by them and then was himself alone established a Priest for ever of an Unchangeable Unalterable Priesthood But further for I am desirous to clear my self of this matter at this time from all Opinions concerning this thing I have already made it appear that Iohn himself was on my side and his Record is clear to prove That the Baptism of Christ Jesus is that of the Holy Ghost and that he himself was sent to baptize with Water And he no where makes mention of any other that was sent to baptize with Water but himself I say that was sent In the next place I shall bring the Testimony of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who also at all times ascribeth Water-Baptism unto Iohn Acts 1.5 And being Assembled together with them commanded them That they should not depart from Jerusalem but wait for the Promise of the Father which saith he ye have heard of me for John Truly or might he not have said or is it not all to one Sense had he said so Iohn it 's True Baptized with Water But mind he doth not say Do ye so too or I will baptize with Water also No Iohn said he Truly baptized with Water but Ye mind Ye Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many Days hence This is the Baptism they were to wait for and to be by Christ baptized withal no Water at all injoyned to it by Christ Jesus tho' he owned it in its time and fulfilled it as aforesaid But mark now was the time of Promise at hand Not many days hence saith Christ ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost So also Peter in Acts 11.16 saying Then remembred I the Word of the Lord how that he said John indeed baptized with Water but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost Still Water Baptism is ascribed to Iohn by himself â—nd by Christ Jesus Let us hear what the Apostles say concerning it In Acts 1.22 Peter in his Declaration to the Disciples concerning Iudas and choosing another in his stead makes mention in Vers. 22. on this wise Beginning said he from the Baptism of John mark unto that same day that he was taken up from us must one be ordained to be Witness with us of his Resurrection Here it is ascribed unto Iohn Again in Acts 13.23 24 25. Paul speaking of the Promise God hath saith he according to his Promise raised unto Israel a Saviour Iesus when John had first mark first preached BEFORE HIS COMING mind before his Coming the Baptism of Repentance to all the People of Israel and as John fulfilled his Course Mind here Paul still ascribes it to Iohn Again in Acts 19.1 2 3 4. And it came to pass that while Apollos was at Corinth Paul having passed through the uppermost Coasts came to Ephesus and finding certain Disciples there he said unto them Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed And they said unto him WE HAVE NOT SO MUCH AS HEARD WHETHER THEâ—â— BE ANY HOLY GHOST And he said unto them Unto what then were ye Baptized They said Unto JOHN's BAPTISM Mark Had Iohn's Baptism been in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost then how should they but have heard of a Holy Ghost So that here before I proceed any further I shall take notice of this place a little water-Water-Baptism is still ascribed here to Iohn I indeed baptize with Water said Iohn John indeed baptized with Water said Christ and said the Apostles Iohn verily baptized with the Baptism of Repentance saying unto the People That they must believe on Him that was to come after him that is said he on Christ Iesus So I shall yet bring no more Proofs for this Point these being sufficient But before I leave this Place take notice That tho' they had been baptized unto
Iohn's Baptism yet they had not heard whether there was ANY Holy Ghost Which doth clearly manifest that altho' it should be granted that Iohn's Baptism was still of Necessity which far be it from me to do yet how doth it thwart all the Water-Baptists of our Age who Baptize with or into Water using the words Father Son and Holy Ghost which they cannot bring Precept or Example for For tho' the Apostles did by permission Baptize it was but in Condescension unto Iohn's Baptism for Commission they can no where bring from Christ nor that they did use the words now used by you saying I Baptize thee in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost So that your Practice all of you Water-Baptists is contrary to the Holy Scripture for in this place Paul baptized those in the Name of the Lord Jesus And Peter in Acts 10. commanded to be Baptized Repent and be Baptized in the Name of the Lord Iesus But no where can they find that either Iohn or any of the Apostles used to say I baptize thee in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost So that your Practice in this is grounded on a Sandy Foundation and will undoubtedly fall Prop as hard as you can and take ye altogether ye Water-Baptists of all sorts and work never so hard with both hands your Babel-Buildings will all fall and great will be the Fall thereof and all your Props and all your cunning Work will be broken to pieces and you shall never be able to raise your Building again but the chiefest of your Workmen shall be ashamed of their own Doings and you shall gather Paleness in that Day Oh therefore be intreated in tender Love I beseech you to return Return out of Babylon unto the Gift of God the true Light that makes ye all manifest and in which ye are all seen and comprehended I say in the Name of the Lord my God and in much Love to your Souls be intreated to return unto it it 's near you to instruct you and to make all things manifest to you if you will come unto it O turn your Minds How oft have you been reproved by it And you never found Guile in his Mouth tho' he hath told you all that ever you have done yet you regard him not but prefer fading finite and unprofitable things above him Oh! haste haste out of Babylon tarry not the Day of Vengeance is near and then will you come to know the true Baptism is not into Water but into the Name of the Father Son and Spirit and that Christ in Mat. 28.18 19. when he sent his Apostles out to teach all Nations and that the Baptism there spoken of and commanded by Christ was not into Water but into the Name of the Father Son and Spirit neither is there any such a word as Water mention'd in his Words there spoken to them but into the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost he bad them Baptize But some may say It must needs be Water there intended because that none can Baptize with the Holy Ghost but Christ. I Answer True None can but He and by his Power only therefore he tells them in the first place That All Power is given unto me saith he both in Heaven and in Earth and they now must not go in their own Strength or Power but in his Power and it was his Power in them and by them that did the Work he sent them to do and so he saith unto them Without me ye can do nothing But lo I am with you always even to the end of the World And all Power is mine And now you Water-Baptists let me ask Now where is Iohn's Power Iohn hath now no Power nor Moses hath now no Power in a way of Administration if all be given to him and be his as I am satisfied it is And it is plain He only is here established Now it must not be admitted for any other to have a Tabernacle standing or building with his No Though Peter would have had three one for Moses one for Elias and one for Christ That Elias was already come mind and they have done to him whatever they would And is it not plain to you that this was Iohn the Baptist here spoken of and intended And yet mind neither Moses nor Elias must have a Tabernacle built with his but a Cloud came and took them away mark and Christ only left and a Voice from Heaven came saying This is my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased hear him Oh! what would you have How clearly is it manifest unto all who walk not in Darkness that he only is by himself established to be heard in all things And saith the Apostle He that refuseth to hear this Prophet shall be cut from off the Earth And again See ye refuse not him that speaketh for if they escaped not that refused him that spake on Earth even Moses how shall ye escape if ye refuse him that speaks from Heaven whose Voice then shook the Earth But now says he Yet once more will I not shake the Earth only but also Heaven mark that those things that cannot be shaken may remain Mind what must remain and how he alone even Christ is above all established And it 's said again by Paul God saith he who at sundry Times and in divers Manners spake in Days past to the People by the Prophets hath in these last Days spoken unto us BY HIS SON mark not by his SON and JOHN but by his SON whom he hath appointed Heir of all things mind So All Power is given unto me saith Christ Go ye therefore teach all Nations baptizing them into the Name of the Father Son and Spirit or if you had rather have it Holy Ghost teaching them to observe whatever I command you and lo I am with you always even to the end of the World but tarry at Jerusalem till ye have received Power from on High for without me ye can do nothing So 't is not saith Peter by our Strength or Righteousness that this Man is made whole Why stand ye gazing upon us as tho' by our Power and Holiness it was done Be it know unto you that by the Name of JESUS whom ye Crucified even by Faith in his Name is this Man made whole And said Paul I have laboured more abundantly than ye all yet not I but the Gift or the Grace of God that 's in me And so it was in his Strength that they were more than Conquerors and could do all things through Christ that strengthened them but before they could not before I say that they went in his Strength So there was need for them to wait at Ierusalem till they had received of his Fulness of which they all received Grace to help in time of Need. But now mark they had not Need to have stay'd at Ierusalem for Poâ—â—r to have baptized with Water for they had been doing that
before and were Able enough for that Baptism But now they were to enter upon a greater Work and it is not they must do it but the Gift of God in and by them or the Power they received so saith Christ Lo I am with you and as many as received him to them he gave Power for All Power is given to me saith Christ ALL mark So though the Apostles as Men could not Baptize into the Name of the Father Son and Spirit no more than we as Men can do yet mark Christ in and by them can or us either and in and by them did And when the Apostles laid their Hands on them that Believed the Holy Ghost fell upon them and sometimes when they were Preaching unto them the Holy Ghost fell upon them Yet it was not them that could so much as Preach as they ought but Christ in and by them God speaks by his Son through his Vessels of Honour fitted for his Use So it 's not them but Christ who also raised the Dead opened the Eyes of the Blind healed the Sick cleansed the Leperâ— and many great and good Works did they yet not they but the Gift of God in them and by them And so they went in the Demonstration of the Spirit and of Power and Preached Christ the Wisdom of God and the Power of God the savour of Life unto Life IN THEM mark in them that are saved and the favour of Death unto Death in them that perish But they never cried out water-Water-Baptism is the Door for Christ Jesus said I am the Door by ME mark not me and Water nor me and Iohn but BY ME if any Man enter in he shall be saved O he is of himself sufficient and shall go in and out and find Pasture The Apostles never called it as you do An Initiating Ordinance and say you A Command of Christ But who says so besides you Where do you prove it Prove Friends whoever you are I challenge all the whole World to prove that Christ ever mentioned such a thing to any of his Ministers as by way of Command as Water-Baptism but said as abovesaid Ye said he shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost And Go teach all Nations baptizing them into the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost Say not We cannot Be not â—â—â—mayed for Lo I am with you And All Power is given unto me both in Heaven and in Earth therefore without me ye can do nothing But abide in me and then ye shall bear Fruit In me ye shall have Peace But though it were so that he had meant as you Baptists say he did Water-Baptism and that that Commission belongs to you say you The World is not yet ended therefore say you it is still to be observed Suppose this were granted you then I ask you How missed Paul of it that he had no share in this Commission For Paul saith in 1 Cor. 1.13 That Chriâ—t sent me not saith he to Baptize but to Preach the Gospel mark How comes it to pass that you are greater sharers in this Commission than Paul And how must we do to know it For if it did not reach Paul who was Converted and one not behind the Chiefest of the Apostles how can it reach you And though you may say All are not sent to Baptize Then I ask you How must we do to know who are and who are not But say you Paul means NOT ONLY Oh Friends Would you have this Hole to creep out at It 's a little one too litâ—â—â— to get out at 'T is your Meaning but we must not take your Meanings when the Lord lets us see he means otherwise for Paul said not so nor dare any true Christian say that Paul meant so but said what he meant and meant what he said Well but say you Baptists He did Baptize It is true he did some few but he thanks God they were so few But it seems though he did he did not do it by Commission For Christ sent me not to baptize saith he but to Preach the Gospel How then Why by Permission as he also Circumcised Timothy by Permission because of the Iews but not because Christ had commanded it for he had not Paul himself said If ye speaking to the Galatians be Circumcised Christ shall profit ye nothing yet took that Liberty for a particular End because of the Iews to do that particular Act. He also observed the Law and went under seven days Purification and had an Offering brought according to the Law but not because it was commanded by Christ for Christ had not commanded it but because of the Iews Yea and had had he not another time his Head shorn and was under a Vow Much might be said that was done by the Apostles that was not commanded by Christ nor that they left no Command to after-Ages to observe But it 's also clear in Acts 26.15 16 17 18. that Paul had no such word in his Commission as to Baptize into Water For I said the Lord have appeared unto thee for this end or purpose To make thee a Minister and a Witness both of these things which thou hast seen and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee Delivering thee from the People and from the Gentiles unto whom now I send thee Mark What to do Not to Baptize into Water he mentions no such thing No But To open their Eyes and to turn them from Darkness to Light and from the Power of Satan unto God that they may receive Forgiveness of Sins and an Inheritance amongst them that are Sanctified by Faith that is in me This was Paul's Commission if we may so call it as he himself tells the King Agrippa but here is not one Word of Water-Baptism or Not Only to Baptize as you Baptists say But if you have no better Weapons than these these are too short to save your Heads But to proceed You still say The Apostles did Baptize Peter said in the Second of the Acts REPENT and be BAPTIZED every one of you in the NAME mark of Iesus Christ for the Remission of Sins and ye shall receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost this Baptism being for the Remission of Sins upon Repentance was necessary to Salvation but so is not yours for the PROMISE mark is unto you But the Promise was not WATER-BAPTISM but Ye shall be Baptized with the Holy Ghost said the Lord Jesus by way of Promise And this is that which was spoken by the Prophet Ioel 2.28 And it shall come to pass in the last Days saith God I will pour out of my Spirit upon all Flesh mark Was not this the Promise of God to them and their Children and to all that are a-far off and so on And in Verse 21. Then they that gladly received the Word were Baptized and THE SAME DAY were added unto them Three Thousand Souls mark ye The same Day It was a great Number to be Baptized
into Water as you do all of one Day if it was so But it is not here so said nor mention made of Water in this Chapter so that this place will not carry your Matter you would lay on it for all these it 's said continued stedfastly in the Apostles Doctrine and their Doctrine I hope you will own was for Christ If any Preach any other Doctrine than what is already Preached or lay any other Foundation than that which is already laid let him be accursed We Preach Christ saith Paul to the Jews a Stumbling-block to the Greeks Foolishness but unto them that believe Christ the Wisdom of God and the Power of God It was Christ they Preached But say you Philip Baptized the Eunuch and the Gaoler was Baptized and Cornelius and those with him Peter commanded to be Baptized in the Name of the Lord and say you Baptists when was that Command repealed I Answer Though it was a Command yet it was but Peter's Command and Peter had not all revealed to him at first but was ignorant of things that were afterwards revealed and so were the rest of the Apostles Witness Peter's Vision and the Apostles blaming Peter for going to the Gentiles because they yet saw not into that foretold Mystery nor many before them saw it not but it was revealed in the Lord's time to them how that the Gentiles should be Fellow-Heirs and partakers of the same Glory But you cannot prove that Peter's Command was obeyed He commanded them it is true to be Baptized and if they were his Command was fulfilled But who commanded you or sent you Shew us your 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 than 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 than 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 farther than it was revealed unto them no more than 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 altho they might they that were daily added might have stumbled had they denied 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 use Iohn's Dispensation but were above it themselves out from under it's Command in the Power of Christ who was greater than Iohn and had all Power 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 THOU MAYEST not THOU MUST No but if thou believest thou Mayest he would not deny it him tho' 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 satisfie 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 Apostle would not yet seem to lay the Building if I may so call it of Iohn waste until they had laid and builded on a more sure foundation Nor wholly 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 Baptized 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 words the Holy Ghost teacheth with which they were now Baptized comparing Spiritual things with Spiritual not 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 Use 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 been 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 washed 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 spake one mightier than 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 foregoing words in the Chapter before where he had been telling them of their Childishness he mentions the Doctrine of Baptism which cannot prove the Imposing of Water-Baptism any more than 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 faith further this will we do if God permit But if they had been commanded by Christ to have been used to the Worlds 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 opened that though the Apostles had by reason of their weakness submitted to their Childish Capacities rather than 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 Days Purification and Water-Baptism yea and all those things concerning Meats and other things that they did by Permission and not by Commission from Christ I say their Intents in all these were never to establish them with Christ Jesus to abide as long as the World lasted No but after they had held them in hand in order to get them on they took all occasions they could to bring them on further till they all come in the Unity of the Faith unto a perfect Man in Christ Jesus unto the measure of the Stature of Christ Jesus and so these became useless and all gave place to him who is alone by himself established a Priest for ever of an unchangeable Priesthood Glory is wholly due unto him And so now they came to speak of One Baptism One Faith and One Lord as aforesaid and that by One Spirit they were all Baptized into One Body mark they were ALL he saith ALL Baptized by One Spirit into One Body and had all been made to drink into One Spirit But none can prove that ALL were Baptized into Water for Paul was instrumental in the Lord's Hand for the convincing and converting of many But he saith he Baptized none but Crispus and Gaius and the Houshold of Stephanus beside saith he I know not whether I Baptized any other but many were convinced by him doubtless very many yea multitudes yet no Man can prove that all that were convinced and converted by the gift of Paul were also All Baptized into Water yet saith he Ye are all Baptized by One Spirit and have been ALL made to drink into One Spirit and there is One Lord One Faith One Baptism Well but say you Baptists He doth not say There is but One Baptism No nor doth he not say There is but One Lord must we therefore say There are more Lords than One God forbid For to us there is but One Lord And he doth not say There is but One Faith must we therefore say There are more Faiths than One So he also saith There is One Baptism and so say we too and that One was Promised and Accomplished and Commanded For we believe as Christ said The Works that I do mark ye The Works that I do shall ye do and greater Works than these shall ye do But it 's plainly said That Christ Baptized not I say Not with Water but with the Holy Ghost And do you think that he used One Baptism to them and commanded them to use Another to them that believe in him Do you think that he Baptized them with the Holy Ghost and then sent them out to Baptize with Water I know whatever ever you believe you have said no less but you can never prove it For the Works that I do shall ye do But Christ Baptized not into Water nor never said that they should that you or any other can prove for Peter in Acts 11. declares what the Lord said when the Disciples were talking with him about his going unto the Gentiles Then said he I remembred the Word of the Lord how that the Lord said mark ye Christ's word The Lord said John Baptized with Water but you shall be Baptized with the Holy Ghost But he no where mentions Water by way Commanding them to use it in Baptism But said Ye shall be Baptized with the Holy Ghost and Go ye teach all Nations Baptizing them into the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost and Lo I am with you But farther I remember you Baptists have said That your Baptism into Water doth signifie Death Burial and Resurrection By which words you acknowledge it is but a Type And you farther say That no Man ought to be buried before he be dead Now I conclude that the Dead you mean are such as are dead to Sin and if so how can ye that are dead to Sin live any longer therein Know ye not saith Paul in Rom. 6.2 that so many of us as were Baptized INTO mark into Iesus Christ were Baptized into his Death Therefore we are buried with him by Baptism into Death that like as Christ was raised up from the Dead by the Glory of the Father even so we also should walk in Newness of Life And in Vers. 7. For he that is dead is freed from Sin Well let me ask you Are you thus Dead Buried and Risen with him by your water-Water-Baptism Or can any Man conclude that Paul here speaks of water-Water-Baptism Is it not plainly said Into Christ Not into Water but into Christ into Death And in Gal. 3.27 For as many of you as have been Baptized into Christ have put on Christ and they that are in Christ are new Creatures behold all ye Water-Baptizers all old things pass away and all things become new a new Heaven and a new Earth in which dwells Righteousness And we say That the Sons of God inhabit in the New and Living Way that which is pure and changeth not but endures for ever and in Righteousness are they Established and Act not by the Power of a Carnal Commandment but in the Power of an Endless Life not in Imitation of the Letter but in the Demonstration of the Spirit For although it should be so as ye would have it That Christ had commanded the Apostles to Baptize into Water as he never did nor can it be ever proved yet if it had been so what is that to you Who Commanded you Shew us your Commission Where did you receive
your Power and Authority in this matter that you both Preach and Baptize Whereas Paul says He was not sent to Baptize but to Preach And we say and know what we say to be true that we are not sent to Baptize into Water but to Preach the Gospel and our Authority came not by Man of Man nor from Man but by the Grace of God we are what we are and his Grace is sufficient for us and ever hath been since we were a People and so will be to the End And we further say We know that Iohn was sent to Baptize with Water and we own him in his Day but where did Iohn Baptize using those words Father Son and Holy Spirit For they that had been Baptized into Iohn's Baptism had not so much as heard of a Holy Ghost So that this Baptism ye practise cannot be Iohn's nor Christ's it cannot be for he never had Water ascribed to him But Iohn who was a true Minister in his time of Water-Baptism said HE meaning Christ shall Baptize you with the Holy Ghost and Fire So then if not Iohn's as it 's clear it is not for Iohn's was a Type of the True Baptism of the Spirit and when the Types Figures Vails and Shadows were ended and HE the End and Beginning First and Last was arisen and had rent the Vail from the top to the bottom I say when the Sun of Righteousness did arise the Shadows fled away and gave him place over his own House to rule whose Right it was Then was the true Baptism known then came the Holy Ghost â—â—on them then did the true Light shinâ—â—â— and the Darkness fled away then were they inwardly washed and their Understandings opened then was the Circumcision of the Heart known then was he entered 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 it 's clear the Baptism you use is not Iohn's and it is 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! whoever 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 and 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 and 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 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 that Baptism commanded in Mat. 28. was INTO the Name of the Father Son and 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 there is of it when the thing signified by it is come Or do you think that 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 then the Shadows fled away But altho' you should still say Why then did the Apostles use it after the Spirit 's Baptism was accomplish'd 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 spoke of the One Baptism of the One Lord and 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 Iohn's Disciples left Iohn mark they left Iohn 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 Sin finishes Transgression and 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 that 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 it 's 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 and did what 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 spoken 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 always received the Attonement and in whom we live out of whom we cannot live for he is our Life To whom be Glory for ever Iohn Gratton Written the 7th of the First Month 1674. The Conclusion 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 and 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 Persecuted 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 Joy 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 all wrought Gold wholly 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 by Day and by Night she has no need of the Sun by Day nor of the Moon by Night but the Lord God and 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 O! Who would not live in her Her Gates are paved with precious Pearls 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 Requirings 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 an 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 Wellfare of all Men and is become Servant to all for Jesus's sake To him be all Honour Praise and Dominion for ever and for evermore J. G. THE END