signification the Spirit of God giveth of the word Baptize Ananias said unto Paul Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins Acts 22. 11. Which washing in sign of cleansing in the ordinance of baptism may be done with water in a Bason being called a washing John 13. 5 8. and a part being taken for the whole as shall after more fully be proved that baptism of water was so performed on the person a part taken for the whole but since extraordinary gifts and officers are ceased it will in the next place be needfull First To know where Baptism ought to be performed Secondly Who are the true Administrators thereof Thirdly On what part of the Body baptism of water ought and is most likely by the Scriptures it was administred upon You bring many Scriptures to shew that persons that were baptized went down into the water and they came up out of the water as Mat. 3. 16. Mark 1. 5. and they baptized in Enon because there was much water that thus the Scripture saith is not denyed but that the persons were dipped these Scriptures speak not which if it were supposed that they were dipt which you gather yet that doth not prove it is not lawfull to wash or sprinckle in baptism according to the foregoing grounds from the signification of the word Baptize But to come to my first particular where baptism of Water ought to be performed it is evident where the word was preached In those dayes came John the Baptist preaching in the Wildernesse of Judea Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea and all the Region round about Jordan And were baptized of him in Jordan c. Mat. 3. 1 5 6. So that it doth appear where he taught there he baptized now where it saith Jerusalem and all Judea were baptized of him here a part is taken for the whole as doth appear in handling the next particular and so we may understand in the use of water likewise where the Eunuch was converted there he was baptized for saith he here is water what doth hinder me to be baptized Acts 10. 36. Likewise when Paul preached the word of the Lord at midnight to the Jaylor the Text saith He took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes and was baptized he and all his strait-way so that there is no ground to think that seeing that the Apostle was so grievously wounded that they should go at midnight to a Pond or River up to the middle to baptize the Jaylor and all his but as I said before where the word was preached and conversion wrought that there the ordinance was performed by those immediately which the Lord did send to begin that work Moreover consider before the Tabernacle of old was reared up or built Altars were builded at several times by several persons extraordinarily called thereunto of God as Noah Abraham Jacob and the like but when the Tabernacle was builded and the Altars appointed to be only there and it was a sin for anâ— of Gods People to offer any Sacrifice elsewhere Levit. 17. 1 2 3 4 5. so that no Minister or Priest of God then was to perform any Church ordinance elsewhere while the Tabernacle did continue unlesse they had a call immediately from God so after in the Temple when it was builded there were all Israell to bring their Sacrifice there were the Ministers to wait on the Altar So likewise whatsoever was written afore time was written for our learning Rom. 15. 4. Jesus Christ the same yesterday and to day and for ever That we Be not carried about with divers and strang doctrines He. 13. 8 9 We are then still to observ the order of God who at first sent extraordinary men to publish his message and perform his ordinances as John Baptist and the Apostles before the Church was established in Gospel order and they performed the ordinance of Baptism whersoever they preached and persons believed but when by these wise Master builders the Apostles the Churches were planted and the Tabernacle of God was with men Rev. 22. 3. and 13. 6. and extraordinary Officers ceased and ordinary Officers chosen by the Churches only remained Answerable to the Priests or Ministers of old in the Tabernacle or Temple where they were appointed to feed the Church of God as it is written in Acts 20. 28. so that since extraordinary Officers are ceased as Apostles and the like and now none remain but Pastors Teachers Elders Deacons and Relievers which have no Authority to presume to that Commission given only to the Apostles Mat. 28. as go teach all Nations baptizing them but observe the latter words of Christ to them ver 20. teaching them that they had planted in Gospel order to observe all things whatsoever I command you accordingly the Apostle Paul gave direction to the Churches saying As I have received of the Lord that which I delivered unto you 1 Cor. 11. 1. so we ought to be followers of him as he was of Christ accordingly he wrote to Titus to ordain Elders as saith he I have commanded thee Titus 1. 5. and say to Archippus take heed to thy ministery which thou hast received in the Lord that thou fulfill it â— Col. 4. 16. and so God will be with his People to the end of the world who follow his commands from the hands of the Apostles but some presumed into their Commission to be Apostles but being tried were found lyers Rev. 2. 1. and such were False Apostles deceitfull workers transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ 2 Cor. 11. 13. And I fear there are two many such false Apostles now a dayes So that I know no Rule from the written Word of God for any Officer as Pastor or Teacher to perform either the ordinance of Baptism or the Lords Supper out of the Stative Congregative Corporative Church or Body of Christ where they are chosen to attend Moreover I do not find in the written Word of God that any did perform the ordinance of Baptism of Water or the Lords Supper but either they had an extraordinary call from God as John Baptist and the Apostles or Ordinary called by the Church thereunto by Office so that seeing extraordinary Officers and Offices are ceased and only the ordinary remain I know no Rule from Gods Word that any Officer chosen of the Church can perform any Church Ordinance out of the Stative Assembly or Corporation any more than a Justice Constable or Bosholder have any power by virtue of their Office to perform it out of the limits set them by those who chose them into Office so that not only the Authority is given them but the limits is set them how far it reacheth and if they go beyond the bounds set them by a greater authority they break order and are transgressors and none ought to obey them and they lyable to be punished by the King Even so in Christs Kingdom and City the Officers thereof are
open the signification of the word Baptism by context of Scripture which you build your Faith so much upon and to shew you how you deceive your selves in binding limiting and confining the word to signifie only to dip plung overwhelm without warrant of the learned in the Tongues or sense of holy Scripture I must acknowledge my selfe the unfittest of many to intermeddle with a work of this nature by reason of my want of skill in the Tongues as you likewise acknowledg the same yet you bring many Authors to prove the word Baptize to signifie to dip yet you confess they say it also signifieth to wash or sprinckle so that by your own grant the testimony of the Learned proveth no more for * It is error to confine it as you do you then against you and forasmuch as the Learned themselves are at their wits end concerning the signfication of some words in holy Scripture as in Job 2. 9. Some say where it is translated Curse other say Bless also the word Euriclydon Act. 27. 14. One saith it signifieth a North-East wind another a soultery hot wind but forasmuch as many words in Scripture are left by the learned in the original Term though in English Letters as Baptize Messiah and many the like It behoveth you I being Englishmen not wholy to rely upon the learned in Tongues seeing the Jewish Rabins skilfull in Tongues did not all of them understand the true sense or meaning of the Scripture nor yet to slight or lightly esteem of the worthy endeavours of the learned in translating the Scriptures who have dealt so honestly where they durst not confine the word to one sense or tearm they left it to be understood by the people of God as the Spirit of the Lord should direct them The word Messiah being alledged against a Jew to prove the death of Christ how the Angel prophesied Messiah should be slain Dan. 9. 26. I saith the Jew but Messiah signfieth any one that is anoynted Governor so that when words in Scripture have large or divers significations we ought carefully and wisely to consider the divers use and meaning of them to agree in a harmony of holy Scripture Likewise â—ell an Athiest that God made the Heavens and the Earth Gen. 1. 1. He may answer as the Learned in the Tongues say Aelohim sometimes is used to signifie Angels Psal 8. 5. with Heb. 2. 7. sometimes to signifie magistrates Psal 82. 1 6. therefore he believes not any such God properly as we profess not having Gods Spirit to understand the sense and true intendment thereof Likewise the originall word for worship as the Learned do express the same Latria and Latréuo sometimes largely used and sometimes more strictly so that word worship generally comprehendeth the performance of all duties required in the first Table of Gods Law Deut. 5. 6. 15. more strictly and properly to worship is to bow down and supplicate to God Mat. 2. 2. Again the originall word for Church Congregation or Assembly given in by the learned Kahal in Hebrew and in Greek Ecclesia which word is used for any Assembly which without the help of Gods holy Spirit cannot be rightly divided as the gathering together in a Market is Ecclesia where Women as well as Men have equall priviledge to speak yet the word Ecclesia a gathering in a Church Assembly where men and women have not equall priviledge alike to speak 1 Cor. 14. 34 35. Likewise when but two or three are gathered together in Church worship Mat. 18. 20. they bear the name Ecclesia and when the Church consisteth of thousands they are but Ecclesia Acts 4. 4. Acts 7. 38. Exod. 19. 1 3 5. 6. So when it signifieth the least we are not to despise the day of small things Zech. 4. 10. Luk. 12. 32 Likewise the word Saviour sometimes signifieth Christ sometimes Christs Miniâ—â—â—rs Obadiah ver 21. 1 Tim. 4. 16. sometimes civill Magistrates or Deliverers Neh. 9. 27. which divers use is approved by the Scriptures by which we ought to take the more notice of the word Baptize which as is said before that the learned give in to signifie to dip wash water sprinckle so that my friend R. A. you are very bold upon you own head and the men of your Judgment to bind up the word Baptize to only dip without either the learneds assent or warrant of holy Scripture therefore both you and all of your Judgment consider by what hath been said how many words in Scripture a few before treated on that cannot be confined without adding or diminishing from the mind of God but to be understood by the directions of Gods Spirit Rev. 22. 18. Deut. 4. 2. Pro. 30. 6. and learn the counsell of the Holy Ghost of these things put them in remembrance charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit but to the subverting of the hearers study to shew thy self approved unto God a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth 2 Tim. 2. 14 15. So then forasmuch as the holy Scriptures hold forth three several Baptisms by the one word Baptism I shall endeavour by the help of the Lord to lay down some grounds according to the sense of Scripture how we may rightly divide the Word of Truth to understand the same comparing spirituall things with spirituall 1 Cor. 2. 13. and not altogether rely on the learned in Tongues though in due place and right use are not in the least to be despised but highly esteemed for we read the Book is given to one that is learned Saying Read this I pray thee and he saith I cannot for it is sealed And the Book is delivered to him that is not learned saying Read this I pray thee and he saith I am not learned Esay 29. 12. So that great is the mystery of godlinesse 1 Tim. 3. 16. So that when the holy Scriptures as so made use of and interpreted that no one Scripture jar against another but agree in one harmony like as the Levites having Cymbals and Psalteries and Harps and with them an hundred and twenty Priests sounding with Trumpets they made but one sound to praise the Lord 2 Chron. 5. 12. 13. so also the true Trumpets of Gods holy Truths make but one sound 1 Thes 1. 8. Rom 15. 6. to praise the Lord which none can learn but the redeemed from the earth Rev. 14. they can tune both old and new Testament to agree in one harmony of melody and soul comfort Psal 81. 2. Rev. 14. 2. Rev. 15. 3. never a Scripture to jar one against another by which learning our Lord and Master put to silence the learned Rabbins in the Mother Tongue Mat. 22. 41 42 to 46. with this learning and wisdom Stephen in disputing the Studients were not able to resist the wisdom of the Spirit by which he spake Acts 6. 9 10. But the unlearned and unskilfull to reconcile the Scriptures
Commandment being love out of a pure heart and of a good conscience and of faith unfained 1 Tim. 5. so ought the outward baptism of water to be administred on that place even the forehead where Christs name or covenant is recorded Rev. 22. 4. Moreover when the Lord sent the Messenger to destroy the wicked in Jerusalem those that were to be preserved or saved were marked on the forehead Ezek. 9. So likewise in Rev. 7. 3. and as Baptism is a figure of our safety 1 Pet. 3. 21. and the forehead or face representeth the whole man why not a part taken for the whole in this Ordinance as well as in the Spiritual Baptism and the mark of old and now of the people of God Ezek. 9. Rev. 7. in the forehead a part was taken for the whole as may be seen in the use of water where Christ washed the Disciples feet as if the whole body had been washed John 13. signifying a cleansing of the whole so Baptism on the face or forehead signifyeth the whole body washed in the Blood of Christ as a cleansing from all sins for of old in the figures of cleansing or sanctifying it was chiefly by sprinkling a part taken for the whole Again If you will not grant a part to be taken for the whole we cannot justify the Scriptures of truth for it was said as Jonas was three dayes and three nights in the Whales belly Ion. 1. 17. So shall the Son of Man be three dayes and three nights in the heart of the earth Matth. 13. 40. But we know he lay but a part for the whole therefore beware of following your own spirit and have seen nothing as the foolish Prophets did in Israel Prophecying out of their own hearts Ezek. 13. and your having neither the warrant of the Learned to limit the word to one sense of Dipping neither the Scripture for your opinion but take warning by the Counsel of the Holy Ghost Cursed is he that addeth or diminisheth which must needs be in denying the sense and meaning of the Word And next I shall by the help of God shew you that you are not faithful to practise what you seem to contend for in the administration of the Baptism of water and that in your own Judgment are not yet Baptised unless you grant a part to serve for the whole When Philip and the Eunuch went down into the water I suppose you will not deny but so far as they both went into the water was no part of Baptism and when they were both gone so far into the water as was convenient to make use of the water then Philip Baptised the Eunuch Now whether Philip and the Eunuch went but to the ankles or midleg or knees or wast before he Baptised the Eunuch is not mentioned in the Text the Scripture is silent but according to your Judgment that the whole body must be dipt or else none are Baptised then sure you must prove that the Eunuch was born up in the arms of Philip quite out of the water and so dipt all the body under water or else so far as the Eunuch went he Baptised himself or else Philip put the rest of the body of the Eunuch that was out of the water in the water and so Philip Baptised but a part for the whole and as I am informed by some that have seen the manner of your Administration oâ— Baptism that the party that is to be Baptised goeth into he water with the Administrator to the Loyns and the Administrator putteth the other part of his body which is out of the water into the water and so you Baptise but a part for the whole yet you plead for dipping the whole body and yet practice the contrary supposing there is a mâ—â—h in anothers eye and the beam is in your own and keep ado with that Scripture Rom. 6. Buried with Christ in Baptism and that of 1 Cor. 15. 29. Baptised for dead or for the dead answerable to a mans burial that is dead and put in the ground But if you will practise what you contend for as I said before the Administrator must bear up the man that is to be Baptised quite out of the water and so put him into the water as a dead man into the Grave but did you ever know a man that was dead bury himself to the knees or waste and some other bury the rest of the mans body to see this would be a Miracle But a man cannot by any Rule from Gods word Baptise himself neither a part nor whole but so far as you go into the water you do Baptise your selves and another Baptiseth the rest thus you must acknowledg a part is by you practised for the whole or else in your own Judgment you are yet unbaptised and yet condemn others that believe and practise a part for the whole on that part of the body that representeth a part for the whole even the Forehead or Face And now I will shew you by the testimony of four several writers who was the beginner of your manner of Baptism by Dipping of himself though before this time there might be some that held your Judgment but knew not of any true administrator by succession but one being more desperately wicked than others would begin to Baptise himself and others being deceived by him follow after but beware and follow not a multitude to do evil Exod. 23. 2. In the dayes of King James or thereabouts one Mr. Smith who was of the Church of England after disliking thereof and leaving England in process of time was admitted a Member of a people of our Judgment then living in Amsterdam commonly but falsly called Brownists and in process of time was cast out of that Church for Errors he held and not long after he fell to deny his Baptism in infancy and knew not how to have a better nor a truer Administrator successively after your way of Dipping at length he Baptised himself and then he Baptised one Helvish by name this you may see in a Book written by one Mr. Jessop presented to King James more to â—his purpose I have seen in a book written by Mr. â—obinson living then at Leyden in Holland also in another Book written by one Mr. Clifton who wrote an answer to one of Mr. Smiths Books and in another Book written by Mr. Henry Ainsworth Teacher at that time in the Church where Mr. Smith was cast out from and as I have heard when I lived in London that one * This of Mr. Spilsbury I speak as I was told the others testimony is publick in Print and such men as were worthy to be believed Mr. Spilsbury should go to Holland to be Baptised of this Smith so he brought it into England And if you can prove no better an Administrator your Ministry will be found to come out of the bottomless pit as Romes Ministry did And that you may know how near kin your Baptism is
Children blest by Christ were to receive it in future time because Matthew sets down that those little children were brought that he should put his hands on them and pray to wit for a blessing on them yet you confess Christs Prayers were alwayes heard yet it doth not follow say you that he prayed for the blessing to be immediately bestowed on those Infants nor that they did partake of it then before they came to years of understanding and this you say you are the rather induced to think because Isaac and Jacobs blessings were not to be enjoyed till future times Gen. 48. 49. and 27. 27. T. W's Answer This you say is but as you are induced to think by paralelling the blessing of Christ with Isaac and Jacobs in respect of future time to be enjoyed your comparison is not equal and by it you do diminish the Prerogative of Christ did not think you all blessings of old point to Christ the substance for the spiritual fulfilling of them and depended upon no other for the accomplishment no nor in respect of time in future for he is over all God blessed for ever Amen for all the Promises of God in him are yea and for him Amen so that whom God doth bless he or they are blessed as the Apostle saith who hath blessed us Eph. 1. 3. its the present time even so saith Mark and he took them up in his arms put his hands upon them and blessed them Mark 10. 16. so that blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven Rom. 4. 7. Thus it will undoubtedly follow to men that have the least spark of true light that those whose sins are pardoned ought to have the sign Administred upon them even Baptism of water Moreover take notice was not the blessing of the High Priest of old Num. 6. 23 24 25 26 27. then enjoyed of the children of Israel as figuratively pointing to Christ our High Priest now spiritually and more fuâ—ly by him fulfilled and enjoyed in his Church and Kingdom who hath an unchangable Priesthood wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Heb. 7. 24 25. Again those that were blest of old by the High Priest had the name of the Lord put upon them Numb 6. 27. and Christ our High Priest came not to destroy the Law but to fulfill it Matth. 5. 17. So then that as those that the High Priest blest of old had the name of the Lord put upon them even so those whom our High Priest doth bless with the pardon of sins ought to have his name put upon them who is both Lord and Christ Acts 2. 36. which is now done in the Ordinance of Baptism in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost but Christ our High Priest did bless little Children held in arms with his spiritual blessing the pardon of sin therefore ought such little children to have his Name put upon them in the Ordinance of the Baptism of water R. A. Your next Argument is If those Infants blest by Christ were not Baptised then it is not likely that they had by that blessing any right to Baptism of water because if they had right to it Christ would have had them been Baptised But those Infants blest by Christ were not Baptised for Christ himself Baptised not at all John 4. 2. and what was done to the Infants was done by Christ himself as appears by the Text it self Mark 10. 13. Therefore those Infant 's blest by Christ had not right to Baptism of water T. W. his Answer The substance of your Argument is That is the children had right by Christs blessing to Baptism of water then would Christ have had them been Baptised If this be a ground of Faith it should have bin proved by the Word of Faith or a true gathered consequence from the same but that this your Argument to prove the Children whom Christ blest had no right to Baptism of Water is neither from the word of truth nor true gathered consequence from the same as shall plainly appear We read many Disciples believed in Christ out of which he chose Apostles whom be blessed as it is written And he lift up his hands and blessed them Luke 24. 50. yet we find not whether they were Baptised any more then those Infants which Christ likewise blessed shall we conclude they were not Baptised because it is not written that Christ commanded them to be Baptised consider and lean not to your own understanding Prov. 3. 5. Again whereas you say Christ himself Baptised not at all I answer It belonged not to his Office for John taught Christs Office was to Baptise with the Holy Ghost and with Fire Matth. 3. 11. and you are very bold to say that what was done to those Infants was done by Christ himself you by like grounds might say that what was done to the Disciples whom Christ blessed Luke 24. 50. was done by Christ himself and we read he Baptised not at all so by your grounds neither the Infants nor the Apostles whom Christ blessed were at all Baptised with water which is dangerous to believe Again you say it doth not appear that all the Infants of Believers are blessed with Christs Spiritual blessing as those Infants were in Mark 10. 13. T. W. his Answer It is evident that as Christ saith by little Children whom he blessed with his spiritual blessing of such is the Kingdome of God which is his Church Col. 1. 13. 1 Thes 2. 12. Rev. 1. 9. and as the Church or Congregation of old consisted of men women and children Ezra 10. 1. called also a holy Nation Exod. 19. 6. Even so the Church under the Gospel consisteth of men women and children Luke 18. 16. 2 John 1. 4. Ephes 6. 4. Gal. 4. 28. 1 Cor. 7. 14. being a chosen Generation a Royal Priesthood a holy Nation which cannot be without children then as the Apostle applyeth the spiritual blessing of Christ to the whole Church excluding none but saith Ephes 1. 3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings so that as the whole is visibly blessed and the children with their Parents are in the same must needs therefore be blessed with them thus I hope your Arguments are fully answered Moreover though this point be sufficiently proved yet if possible you may be convinced and see how you are deceived concerning the estate of the Infants of Believers We read in Jeremiah 11. 16. the Lord called thy name speaking to his beloved ver 15. a green Olive Tree fair and of goodly fruit and their children are likened to Olive Plants Psal 128. and because they rejected Christ and his servants which were sent with the Gospel to them they were broken off because of unbelief Rom 11. Acts 13. 45 46. and their children in infancy were
to agree in one as the Apostle saith They that are unlearned and unstable wrest as they do also the other Scriptures unto their own destruction 2 Peter 3. 16. Now then the whole Scriptures are called the Word of God 1 Thes 2. 13. Luk. 8. 11. Yet as it hath many sentences or words as every word of God is pure Prov. 30. 5. Yet it is called the word of God because it agreeth in one harmony together as when a controversie fell out among the Church at Antioch it was ended in reconciling both Old and New Testaments together As it is written to this agreeth the words of the Prophet Acts 15. 15. And all the Apostles Doctrins agree with the Doctrins of the Prophets Rev. 21. 12. 14 19. Ephes 2. 20. Acts 26. 22. Acts 17. 11. Rom. 15. 4. Again the Apostle saith For there are three that bear record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one And there are three that bear witnesse in earth the Spirit the Water and the Blood and these three agree in one 1 Joh. 5. 7. 8. Even so there are three baptisms the baptism of the Spirit Mat. 3. 11. the baptism of suffering Mark 10. 38 39. John 18. 11. and the baptism of Water Acts 10 47. Yet the Apostle saith there is but one baptism Ephes 4. 5. So that there is but one word or tearm for these three baptisms and when they be rightly understood the signification of the word baptism will agree in one so I shall begin with the first in order The signification of the word baptism is opened by the Spirit of God in the administration thereof in the spiritual baptism to be a pouring forth as saith the Prophet Vntill the spirit be poured on us from on high Esa 32. 15. Ezek. 39. 29. Joel 2. 28. which was fulfilled in Acts 2. 17. 18. and 10. 45. So that by this one Spirit the whole Church or body of Christ consisting of men women children are baptised into one body 1 Cor. 12. 13. Being an holy nation by the gift and sanctification of that holy Spirit 1 Peter 2. 9. 1 Thes 4. 8. Rom 15. 16. Heb. 11. 2. And this baptism of the Spirit is by the Spirit of God called sprinkling Ezek. 36. 25 26. Heb. 9. 14. 1 Pet. 1. 2. in the manner of Rain Psal 77. 17. Secondly There is also the Baptism of suffering Mark 10. 38 39. Col. 1 24. which the Saints or Members of Christs Body do partake of Phil. 2. 17. 2 Cor. 1. 5 6 7. As for example one suffers reproaches Heb. 13. 13. others reproaches and losse of goods Heb. 33. 34. others banishment Esa 51. 14. Rev. 1. 9. others losse of life Rev. 1â— 11. So every one according to the measure the Lord is pleased they shall be exercised with and these degrees of suffering some more and some lesse is the word Baptism signified by but shall a man say that he that suffers reproaches and not losse of goods is not partaker of Baptism of suffering or he or they that suffer losse of goods and banishment and not losse of life is he not partaker of the baptism of suffering because he doth not partake in the largest sense of the signification of the word baptism in suffering consider these things And thirdly There is also the Baptism of Water which being the same word as the two former in signification and we see the baptism of the Spirit is administred by pouring or sprinkling and also in Isa So shall he sprinkle many Nations Isa 52. 15. ye we see every one hath not a like measure of the Spirit Rom. 12. 3. but to every one is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ he gave some Apostles some Prophets some Evangelists some Pastors some Teachers Eph. 4. And he that received least received one tallent and all the baptism of the Spirit but shall a man say because he that received but one Tallent or the least gift of the Spirit that he is not partaker of the spiritual baptism because he hath not ten Tallents or the largest gift of the Spirit he would be deceived in his understanding of the true meaning of the word so as the word in the two former significations is not nor cannot be tied up to one sense according to the Scriptures nor the testimony of the Learned but signifieth more or lesse water in the administration of the baptism of water being performed in the order of God therefore it is evill to confine the word in the signification to dipping or greatest measure of the use of water unlesse the two other baptisms of the Spirit and suffering could or ought to be confined to the greatest measure of the Spirit and suffering but the learned in the Tongues as I conceive durst not confine the signification of the word Baptism to one sense as you presumptuously do but not only to dip but to wash to water and sprinkle and did very faithfully to leave it in the tearm baptize to be understood of all Gods people as his holy Spirit should direct them by context of Scripture comparing spiritual things with spiritual one Scripture unfolding another by harmony of agreement and this may be observed for a general rule of Faith that whatsoever Doctrin Collection or Observation for a truth believed out of holy Scripture by any If an absurdity will fall upon it then their supposed truth is but error as for example when some denyed the Resurrection of the Body the Apostle Paul overthrew their collection by an absurdity that justly would fall upon it in these words If the dead rise not then is not Christ risen then is our preaching vain and your faith is also vain the like 1 Cor. 15. So likewise if according to your understanding of the word Baptize that it is only to be understood of the greatest measure of washing by dipping plunging or overwhelming it will then upon it this absurdity follow that he that hath not the greatest measure of the baptism of the Spirit as the Apostles Prophets and Evangelists hath not the baptism of the Spirit then the whol Church are not baptized by one Spirit into oâ—e Body for every one had not a like measure but had diversities of gifts then there is * Contrary to 1 Cor. 3. 1. 1 Pet. 2. 2. no babes in Christ but only those that have the greatest measure of knowledge contrary to the Apostles doctrin 1 Cor. 12. 4. 7 8 9 10 11 12 13. seeing that it hath the same word for the spiritual baptism as for the water it must needs have the like sense in signification and if one may be tyed up to the largest sense only there is like reason for the other and if not the one then not the other thus my friend R. A. consider how you are deceived in your understanding of the true sense of the word Baptize and observe farther what
not to go beyond their limits set them by the King of Kings and because some presumed to break the order of God as Corah Dathan and Abiram Numb 16. and Nadab and Abihu Levit. 10. and Uzah 1 Chro. 13. 9. 10. and Vzziah 2 Chro. 26. 18. Gods Judgment fell upon them for presuming to do Gods service out of Gods order even so in the dayes of the Gospel some presumed as aforesaid to be Apostles but were found lyers and ministers of Sathan 2 Cor. 11. And though Uzah was a Levite yet he must not touch any of the holy things which belonged only to the sons of Aarons line Numb 4. 15. And the Lord smote the men of Bethshemoth because they looked into the holy things in the Ark fifty thousand threescore and ten men Sam. 6. 19 So that let all know that as of old God was the God of Order he is the same in all Churches of the Saints 1 Cor. 14. 4. Col. 2. 5. So that the place where Baptism ought to be performed must be in the Stative Assembly or Church of God in which Assembly the ordinary Officers of Christs true Church ought only to perform and those who are not Officers of a true Church have no Rule from the Word of God either to baptize or administer the Lords Supper but if any out of Office presume to do it is accursed as Corah Uza and Uzziah and as I heard some say some of your Judgment have taught persons must be dipt or damned If this be so it is very high judging Mat. 7. 1. We find it written He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved and he that believeth not shall be damned Mark 16. 16. The stress of damnation is for not believing the Holy Ghost foreseeing that in the greatest heat of persecution men by reading holy Scriptures may believ seeing none have right to baptize but the Ministers of a true Church and when the Church cannot of a Soul be fond and die in that time who dare say that Soul shall not be saved as it is written tell me O thou whom my Soul loveth where thou feedest and where thou makest thy Flock to rest at noon For why should I be as one that turneth aside by the Flocks of thy Companions Cant. 1. 7. Here was no neglect of the Souls desire to give it self up in holy Covenant with Christ and his Church when it saw the true way of God Deut. 26. 17 18 19. Ruth 1. 16. and 2. 12. 2 Cor. 11. 2. Jer. 50. 5. to put in practice Gods holy Ordinances Mat. 7. 24. James 1 22 23. for the neglect of injoying or performing Gods holy Ordinance is a sin but it shall not be laid to their charge if they want the injoyment of Gods Ordinances when in Gods holy Order they cannot have it but what will belaid to their charge that shall run head-long upon the Ordinances of Christ with out warrant from his Word Secondly Next I shall now shew on what part of the Body Baptism of Water ought to be administred or is most likely by the Scriptures it was administred upon You have R. A. supposed because they went down into the Water that therefore they were dipt do you think one cannot go into the water unless he be over the head Consider my friend a man is said to be in the mountain when he standeth within the limits of it Mat. 5 1. 2 Pet. 1. 8. Deut. 10. 1. Heb. 12. 20. Christ is said when he was teaching in a Ship that he sat in the Sea Mark 4. 1. So that when one is never so little in the water it answereth to the going into the water but it is very likely John preaching in the Wilderness where the River was which by reason of Ebbing and Flowing of the Water as Enon and Jordan were great Rivers joyning to the Sea might at sides be muddy and in the Wilderness having nothing conveniently to take up water they might that were baptized go so far as to take with the hand clear water to cast upon the face or forehead for the dumb beast will go so far into the River to drink as he may have clear water much more a man being a reasonable creature will go so far as to have clear water to cast upon the face or forehead lest the eyes be filled with dirt being so tender a place God having appointed every ordinance for the good of his people and not for their hurt and as I said before how Jerusalem and all Judea and all the Regions round about Jordan were baptized of John when here a part must be taken for the whole Because The Pharisees and Lawyers rejected the counsell of God against themselves being baptized of John Luke 7. 30. and these were inhabitants of Jerusalem John 1. 19. 24. So that here a part is taken for the whole in like manner we may conclude the use of water in Baptism on a part of the Body even the Face or forehead which representeth the whole Person As for example Hagar was said to flee from the Face of her Mistris which was from her person Gen. 16. 6 8. for farther evidence see these Scriptures Lev. 19. 23. 2 John ver 12. 3 John 8. 14. Rev. 6. 16. and many such like testimonies there is Likewise when Israell played the Harlot she is said to have a whores forehead setting forth all her abominations by the forehead beheld of all and yet not ashamed Jer. 3. 3. So the fals Church hath upon her forehead a name written Mystery Babilon the Great the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth Rev. 17. 5. Moreover the Saints are not ashamed of the profession of the Gospel Rom. 1. 16. signified as sealed on the forehead Rev. 7. 3. departing from all iniquity as a seal to Gods people 2 Tim. 2. 29. So that as Baptism of Water is a manifesting of Christ to Israell John 1. 31. a sign of Remission of Sins by Christ Acts 2. 38. whereon should it be administred but on that part of the Body wâ—icâ— repâ—â—sâ—ntâ—th the whole man even the face or forehead which place or part of man the name of Christ is said to be Rev. 23. 4. whose name is the Word of God the of Christ Rev. 19. 13. the Covenant of the Gospel Heb. 8. 10. where then should the sign seal or token be administred but to the Covenant and on that place where the Covenant or Name of Christ is said to be even on the fore-head Rev. 22. 4. Again Christs Law or Covenant is also said to be written in the mind and heart of his people Heb. 8. 10. and the spirituall Baptism being there for Christ dwelleth in the heart by faith Eph. 3. even by the spirit of faith 2 Cor. 4. 13. then it will necessarily follow that as the inward baptism of Gods spirit is administred by God himself on that place even the heart where his Law or Covenant is wrot the end of the