but as it seems to be from men in their opinions and Judgements and so what men of our Judgements have set up as truth that we own and what they do cry down that we disown because men say so and think so We come now to the testimony of Christ concerning John which we have recorded Matth. 11. 10 11. 1. Christ declares him to be more than a Prophet 2. He declares him to be The voice of one crying in the Wildernesse c. As the Prophets had prophesied of him 3. He declares That among those that were born of women there had not risen up a greater than John 4. That he that is least in the Kingdome of heaven is greater than John First it is to be considered wherein John was greater than all that went before him greater then a Prophet or more than a Prophet And secondly wherein it doth appear that John was the least in Christs Kingdome or the Kingdome of heaven First John was greater than those that went before him in this respect because those that prophesied of Christ and those that figured out Christ in these Ceremonies they never saw Christ personally in the humane nature as John did therefore not so great as John for John pointed out Christ present saying Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sinnes of the world which none could do before him because Christ was not present in person and in this respect John was greater than those that went before him Secondly John was greater than those that went before him in this respect because of the rarenesse of his Office his Baptisme was so rare and of so high esteem among the people they thought him to be the Christ Indeed his Baptisme was a more excellent Ceremony than any used before because he did in it represent the greatest work that ever was wrought upon creatures in the world even the Baptisme of the eternall Spirit given out in the name of Father Son and Spirit in testimony of the full discovery of the ministry of God unto the Sons of men in no lesse power than all power in heaven and earth and this was the onely substance that John did represent figure out and declare to be at hand both in his Baptisme and in his Doctrine and in this respect John was greater than those that went before him for the rarer the thing signified is the rarer and more excellent is the Signe But now let us see wherein it doth appear that the least in Christs Kingdome or in the Kingdome of heaven is greater than he 1. The least in the Kingdome of heaven is greater than John because the least in Christs Kingdome had a sight and could testifie more or lesse that Christ was crucified dead and risen and had accomplished the whole work of Redemption and was glorified which John could not testifie as done Every one in Christs Kingdome was an eye-witnesse more or lesse of the great pourings out of the Spirit upon all Nations Christ was glorified as the Father had promised after Christ had declared and John represented in his Baptisme and in this respect John was lesse than the least in Christs Kingdome because he did but figure out and declare those great things to come but was not an eye-witnesse of them as they were he living but in the middle dispensation which went before for as John was greater than those that went before him seeing they did but figure out and prophesie of the Messiah whom John saw in Person so John was lesse than those that were Eye-witnesses of the great pourings out of Spirit which John did but declare to be at hand not come 3 Those that lived in the Kingdome of Christ were greater than John in this respect because they were partakers of those great things that John figured out in his Baptisme for the dispensation they lived in in the Kingdome of Christ was wholly spirituall and they did partake of the great pourings out of Spirit which was not to be accomplished till Christ was glorified which John did declare to be at hand and figured out in an outward washing for though John had a clear fight of Christ and declared him very clearly in his ministry yet his Office was but an outside figurative washing as other Ceremonies were onely more excellent than others as we have declared before but those who lived in a dispensation wholly spirituall were greater than John because the substance is greater than the shadow and thus we see briefly wherein John was greater and lesser than those that went before him and those that followed after him But now we come to the next thing which is the testimony of Christ concerning his own Baptisme and this we have recorded in severall places of Scripture as in Matth. 28 19. the Commission of Christ to his Apostles the great mystery of God opened to the Sons of men in the third and last dispensation by him who had power in heaven and earth given unto him compared with all other places and now we are to be tryed by the truth alone concerning the Baptisme of Christ and what it is and not by man as mans testimony First Matth 28. We have Christ coming to his Disciples declaring v. 18. all power in heaven and earth to be given unto him and upon this v. 19. gives them the Commission Go ye therefore and teach all nations or make Disciples in all Nations baptising them in or into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit teaching them to observe all things whatsover I have commanded you and lo I am with you alwayes even unto the end of the world or of an age and here let us observe the Nations are not taught or made Disciples by baptising into water but by baptising them into the name of Father Son and Spirit and further observe a clear distinction in the Commission First the Nations are to be taught or made disciples in their ministry in which they were to be baptised into the name of God and afterward they are to teach them to observe all things Christ hath commanded them so that first they are to be baptised into the name of God and afterward they are to be taught to observe all the commands of Christ So here we see Christ gives his Apostles a Commission to go teach all Nations baptising them into the name of God c. and we have another proof Luke 24. 49. when the Apostles must go forth in the accomplishing his great work of baptising the Nations into the name of God it was when they wee endued with power from on high for they were not able of themselves to effect this great work without power from on high and this was the promise of the Father as Christ saith here so that it is clear that the promise of the Father and the power from on high is all one and it is called the Baptisme of the Spirit and is onely suitable to a
Spirit and that we may not be mistaken in the great mystery of God opened in the Commission and so with the world and carnall Church understand the Baptisme of the eternall Spirit to be meant of materiall water Let us consider the difference between being baptised into materiall Water and of being baptised into the name of God or Father Son and Spirit First then it will be good to know and consider well what the name of God is that so we may see and know what we are baptised into when we are baptised into the name of God who is the true eternall nature or being declaring himself to the sons of men by severall names and titles weak creatures not being able to apprehend God who is infinite in all whatsoever he is but through such severall discoveries First then let us consider whatsoever name is ascribed unto God in Scripture it is suitable to the nature of God as appears clearly Secondly And let us observe this also in our following discourse that as the name of God is suitable to himself who is onely good so our name is also suitable unto our nature which is corrupt and evil First then the Scripture declares the name of God to be light and this is the nature of God God is light and in him is no darknesse at all 1 John 1. 5. here we see the name and nature of God is light it is contrary to the nature of God to have any darknesse at all in him And that we may the more clearly see into this mystery of our partaking of the name of God let us see also what our own name is of our selves Ephes 5. 8. we have our very name and nature described Ye were sometimes darknesse here is our name and very corrupt nature even darknesse it self we are filled in our hearts and minds with darknesse yea thick darknesse so that our very name is derived from it And now see what a change here is when we come to partake of the name and nature of God which is light then we are called by a new name which the mouth of the Lord hath named according to his promise Isa 62. 2. now we are light in the Lord heere is our name given us of the Lord. And herein is our happinesse to Eternity that as we are light in the Lord so God is and will be our light to eternity Rev. 21. 23. 22. 5. as he hath promised Isa 60. 19. 20. The Sun shall be no more thy light by day neither for brightnesse shall the Moon give light unto thee for the Lord shall be to thee an everlasting light thy God thy glory c. and thus we are baptised into the name of God which is light the Spirit being as refiners fire in us burning up and destroying our darknesse and blindnesse and bringing forth the light of God in us and translating us into the light of God in the new Creation creating light in us and so we are no longer darknesse but light in the Lord and so God changeth our name and nature from darknesse to light and we beholding in the light of the Lord the glory of the Lord 2 Cor. 3. 18. are changed into the same image or name or likenesse of the Lord not from any thing of our selves but by the Spirit of the Lord who is the Spirit of burning and of brightnesse in us and thus light is sown for the righteous and it springs up in them Secondly as God is called light so he is called love God is love 1. John 4. 16. Here is the very name and nature of God meeting in one and the same principle even love and as we may read the name of God and his nature to be love so also we may read our own name in our own nature principles and actions to be enmity it self Col. 1. 21. Ye who were sometimes Enemies in your minds hath he reconciled c. we are of our selves in our corrupt nature Rebellious and Stubborn against God yea our minds are set on evill works fulfilling the lusts of the flesh c. Eph. 2. 3. Tit. 3. 3. And we being baptised into the name and nature of God which is all one love infinite love this love of God wrought in us by the operation of the Spirit of love it is so hot and strong in us that it burns up and destroys our enmity that is in us in our old nature and it changeth us into the very love of God which is his nature and so we come to be partakers of the divine nature and so the new nature or Creation is brought forth in us and as we do grow up more and more in the love of the Father in the same nature so our enmity in our old nature is destroyed with the very corrupt nature it self for that which is enmity cannot be reconciled but must be burned up and quite destroyed by the fire of the Spirit in the Spirit Baptisme and thus we may see already there is infinitely more in the Baptisme of Christ then as we do imagin when our minds are fixed upon a little cold water in a River there below the Firmament and that the Baptisme of Christ is suitable to all power in heaven and in earth which is onely able to burn up and destroy our enmity and bring forth a principle of Divine love in our souls which all the angels in heaven and all the men on earth are never able to do but onely he who createth all things anew that are new indeed and this is not done but by an infinite power wrought by him that worketh and none can hinder Thirdly the name of God is wisdome for Christ is called the wisdome of God Prov. 8. and Christ and the Father are one and as God is called in Scripture The onely wise God Jud. 25. now the name and nature of God is wisdome and God is infinite in wisdome and it is impossible there should be any folly or ignorance in God but now our name is foolish we are of our selves fools and our very wisdome is foolishnesse with God nay our wisdome is enmity against God and these two cannot stand together but the one must destroy the other and when we are in the Baptisme of the Spirit made partakers of the wisdome of God then the spirit burns up and destroys our wisdome that is earthly fleshly carnall and divelish and brings forth a principle of divine wisdom that is from above and so we come to live and dwell in wisdom and wisdome lives and dwells in us so that we because wise to salvation the wisdome of God is now brought forth in us and Christ is made of God unto us wisdome and Christ is the wisdome of the Father and all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge are hid in him and Christ living in us the treasures of divine wisdome are opened in our souls and spirits and we are the children of wisdome and wisdome is
will give them a new name saith God Rev. 2. 17. God gives his people a white stone and in the stone a new name written that none knows but he that hath it this is the new Name that God brings forth in his people in the new nature written in them by the eternal Spirit And none knoweth this white stone nor the name written in it but those that have received it and this onely is an eternal name that shall never be blotted out it being the name of the living God and written by a divine power in the new man or new name which is the white stone the eternal word brought forth in us in which God writes his own name which is the name of all names and so we do become living and preâ—ious stones by partaking of the divine nature in him who is the foundation of all precious stones being laid of the Father the onely precious stone and chief corner-stone by whose vertue we do become pure white and precious stones builded up together for an habitation of eternal being through the power and operation of the eternal Spirit But the waters of this world can never baptize us into this name nor give us this name nor write this name in us But the name any have by going into water is such a name as all may read because it is an external name and it is no better name then Simon Magus may partake of yea any wicked person is not this giving holy things to dogs I mean the name of God not water-baptism But he that hath the name given him of God in the baptism of the eternal Christ none can read it or know it but he that hath it therefore water-baptism is not that name neither can it give this name unto any nor baptize any into this name 5 Water-baptism cannot interest people into the name of God for Christ hath promised to write the name of God upon his people yea he will write upon them his own new name Rev. 3. 12. here we see it is the work of him who hath all power in heaven and earth to write the name of God upon souls and this is done in the power of the eternal spirit not by dipping in water For water-baptism is not the name of God neither can it work such effects upon souls as to bring forth the name of God in them nor to write the name of God upon them Creatures are onely partakers of the precious name of God by power from on high not by a little cold water Those that have any experience of the name and nature of God in themselves and those that are not wilfully blinde they may see or hear what the name of God is if you look but into the word written in the Scriptures that will tell you what the name of God is and Gods name and nature is one You know the Name of God is declared in Scripture to be Love Mercy Goodness Light Wisdom Righteousness Holiness with many the like and I hope none that knows and loves the truth wiâ—l saâ— that the glorious Name of the eternal God doth consist in a bare outside profession taking its denomination from dipping in a little cold water and that those who are interested into this glorious name that it is from their being thrown into a brook of earthly water there cannot be a more carnal conceit then this The Commission is to baptize people into the name of God and that is declared to be Love Goodness Mercy c. as in Exod. 34 c. But I hope no man will say water-baptism is the Name of God that doth consist in all good sutable to his Nature nor that to be baptized into the Name of God that consists in Light Love Wisdom Purity Strength Fruitfulness c. that this is into material water But the truth is in the baptism of the spirit which consists in power from on high we are dipt and washed in the pure River of the water of life that proceeds from the Lord God and from the Lamb and this is the onely baptism in Christs pure and spiritual kingdom which consists in spiritual fire and spiritual water and this spiritual fire will lick up all our earthly waters and quite destroy them In a word this fire and water of the spirit burns up destroys wasteth away and cleanseth us from all filthiness both of spirit soul and body in which way we do come to live in the name and nature of God in holiness and righteousness And thus we may see that material water is not the Name of God nor to be baptized into the Name of God is not into earthly waters but it is into Life Light Love Wisdom Truth c. yea into the divine nature for as we have first been partakers of the earthly even the old man which is corrupt and sinful So in the baptism of the spirit we do partake of the new name or are made new men in him who is the Lord from heaven and such a baptism is onely suitable to all power in heaven and earth which is able to write the Name of God upon his people and in them and whosoever do call themselves by the name of God or are called by his name from any outward form in the time of râ—formation and have not the name of God written within them they are bastards and not children of God it is onely the spirit and spiritual power and work of the spirit that do or that can interest us into the name of God So we conclude the Commission is spiritual and consists in spiritual baptism even power from on high sutable to the person that gave it and also to the dispensation which was wholly spiritual and so interests us into the name of God which our earthly water cannot do for that cannot interest us into eternal Love Light and all good as spirit-baptism can and doth Obj. 17. The Commission cannot be as you say to baptize men into the Name of God or Father Son and Spirit because it is not mans work to baptize with the Spirit but it is the work of Christ alone to baptize us with the Spirit and thereforâ— we affirm that no man can baptize with the Spiriâ— into the Spirit c. Answ 1. First I would propound one thing to you as unto reasonable creatures and it is this Whether you do think that God doth speak unto men by means or without means And whether God doth work by means or without means and if God do work upon creatures altogether without means then why do any of you call your selves Ministers of Christ and for what purpose you are or declare your selves to be Ministers 2 You do manifest abundance of ignorance in this not to distinguish between the efficient cause and the instrumental cause Now in the first place we ascribe the whole work of the baptism of the spirit unto God alone as the author and finisher thereof in spirit and
Spirituall dispensation which is given forth in all power in heaven and earth by him who had received all power for the effecting this work Again Acts 1. 4 5. we have another Testimony of Christ wherein he doth clearly distinguish between his Baptisme that is Spiâ—it and Johns that was water and bids them wait for the Baptisme of the Spirit and being assembled together with them commanded them they should not depart from Jerusalem but wait for the promise of the Father which saith he Ye have heard of me now the next words declare what this promise of the Father was For John truly baptised with water but yet shall be baptised with the holy Spirit not many dayes hence O that men could see this witnesse of the truth in the light and Wisdome of the Spirit how clearly Christ distinguisheth betwixt his Baptisme and that of John and bids his Apostles wait for the fulfilling his Baptisme according to the promise of the Father and himself But here it will be said that this Baptisme was to be wrought upon the Apostles by an immediate power of God and not by man therefore this is not the Baptisme the Apostles were to use by command from Christ but let us in the light of God consider it was requisite the Apostles should be baptised First with power from on high by an immediate power that the promise might be fulfilled and also that they might be able to fulfill the Ministry committed to them and I shall declare one proof that the people were baptised with the same Baptisme the Apostles were in the ministry of the Apostle as in Act. 11. 15 16. c. And as I began to speak the holy Spirit fell on them as on us at the beginning then remembred I the word of the Lord how that he said John indeed baptised with water but ye shall be baptised with the holy Spirit this is not nonsence as some call it but the clear testimony of the truth the Apostles were baptised in this Baptisme by an immediate power and the people were afterward baptised with the same spirit Baptisme by a mediate power in the Ministry of the Apostles the promise of spirit Baptisme was to them and their children c. Acts 2. 33 39. compared together Let us therefore take heed of wresting the Commission of Christ which is a full discovery of the Ministry of God to the Sons of men which was before held forth in types and shadows but now is given forth in all power in Heaven and earth by him in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge and whose presence in Spirit and power put an end to all shadows and this being the Substance of all that was figured out before and promised before could not consist in types shadows and outward washings c. as these dispensations that went before did consist in and that this may appear to be a clear truth let us consider times and things as they are First let us consider the severall dispensation of God to the Sons of men at severall times Secondly and then let us consider in this last The Kingdom of God consists in Spirit and power from on high Luk. 17. 20. 21 Rom. 14. 17. not in outward Ceremonies and observations as Pharisees do imagine dispensation what is meant by baptising all Nations into the name of God and what the name of God is into which all Nations are baptised Thirdly let us observe from the clear testimony of the word how the Nations were made partakers of the Commission which was baptising them into the name of God our Father Son and Spirit let us for the proof hereof consider of the clear Testimony of the word it self and not the opinions of men who do carnally understand the great mystery of God in Spirit and life 1. First then let us observe the first dispensation of God to the sons of men after the fall of Adam was generally held forth in the name of the Father and this in severall types shadows figures and Representations of good things to come and many great and precious promises were revealed but not to be fulfilled unto them but unto us as saith the Apostle Acts 13. 23. Heb. 11. 39. to 1 Pet. 10. 11 12. 2. The second dispensation was generally declared and dispensed in the name of Jesus Christ and this was a middle dispensation coming between the Law and the Gospel and it was more Evangelicall than the Law and more legall than the Gospel and this dispensation continued from the coming of John the Baptist till Christ had finished the work the Father gave him to do in his own person here on earth For in this dispensation though John pointed out Christ more clearly than any before saying Behold the Lamb of God c. Joh. c. 1. Christ spake as never man spake Joh. 7. 46. Ps 45. 2. yet very little of the Spirit was poured out so that the Apostles themselves were ignorant of the mystery of what was declared and the clear discovery of truth was reserved unto the time of the coming of Christ in Spirit in the last dispensation for Christ as well as John declares the Kingdome of heaven to be at hand not come Mark 1. 15. as John saith Matth. 3. 2. and the word also declareth that the Spirit was not given yet because Jesus was not yet glorified John 7. 38. 39. 3. But now when Christ had finished the great work of salvation being risen from the dead in testimony hereof now the time is fulfilled and all is accomplished that was to go before now the time is come that the mystery of God shall wholly be revealed unto the Sons of men in Spirit and power from on high now there are no more types nor figures to be brought forth by way of command to signifie the substance to come but now the substance it self is come which consists in all power in heaven and earth which needs no signs to figure it out it being present And as the former dispensations were given out first in the name of the Father and secondly in the name of the Son so this third and last which is to remain was given forth in the name of Father Son and Spirit as the full discovery of the whole mystery of God unto the Sons of men And it is called Spirit Baptisme never so called before unto former Generations nor never so named till John doth call it so declaring it to come after his Baptism Mat. 3. 12. c. now this being the manifestation of the Spirit that is more glorious than all that went before it it hath pleased God in his wisdome to stile it the Baptism of the Spirit wherein creatures are made partakers of the name and nature of God and though believers in all ages did partake of the Baptisme of the Spirit yet God hath reserved the name and title hereof unto the last times as he hath the greatest pourings out of
the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength Isa 26. 4. c. In this also the name and nature of God is one The Lord is onely strong and mighty yea strength it self and be alone can work and none can let him Isa 40. But our name is quite contrary God hath called us by our names as we are of our selves nothing vanity and our works nothing we are compared to the weakest things as Grashoppers a drop of water a small dust of a ballance perishing creatures our strength as grasse the flower of the field c. Isa 40. But when we are baptised into the name of God which is power from on high then our own weaknesse rules us no longer but the power of God who is infinitely stronger that takes place in our souls and spirits and the Spirit of God being the Spirit of power brings forth a principle of divine power in us the fire of the eternall spirit is stronger than the opposite fire of Lust stubbornesse sin and rebellion that is in us and the fire of the spirit being unresistable and an unquenchable fire it burns up destroys quencheth and quite puts out the opposite fiery strength that it meets with in our spirits which is but weaknesse it self in respect of the strength of the eternall spirit in us And thus in the Baptisme of the spirit which consists in power from on high we are changed from our own name and nature which is weaknesse nothing without strength c. into the name of God now we are strong and powerfull and can do all things through Christ that strengthens us who before could do nothing of our selves and now God hath destroyed our weapons who are carnall and weak and have pulled down our strong holds of sin the world and Devil 2 Cor. 10. and God hath cast down our imaginations and self-exaltations against God his appearances in spirit and it is indeed proper onely unto God in spirit and power from on high to throw down all our own power and strength that exalts it self against God by his power alone for no lesse power can do it and it is proper also unto God to bring forth a principle of divine power in us and to indue us with weapons from on high that so we may be able to fight the good fight and to stand in the day of triall for we can stand by no lesse power than the power of God and thus we are baptised into the Name and Nature of God which is power from on high Seventhly The name of God is mercy pity compassion c. Exod. 34. and this is agreeable to the nature of God it is as naturall to God to shew mercy pity and compassion as it is proper to the Sun to give light the Scripture doth clearly witnesse to this truth too and every soul that hath obtained mercy of the Lord can witnesse the Lord to be a God full of mercy pity and compassion unto him But now if we look upon our own name and read it in Scripture and in our old and corrupt nature we shall find it to be quite contrary to the name of God for we live in wrath Envy and malice hatefull and hating one another Eph. 2. 2 3. Tit. 3. 3. our very name is Envy and Envious c. But when we come through the mercy of God to be partakers of the Baptisme of the Spirit and are baptised into the name and nature of God which is mercy c. then our envy wrath malice and hatred is destroyed and we are made partakers of the name and nature of God then we are filled with mercy pity and compassion And as we were before envious and hatefull against the truth and all that followed it in sincerity proud lofty and hard-hearted toward our fellow creatures now we are quite changed in our hearts minds and natures now we are kind mercifull full of pity and compassion toward all men willing to do good unto all even from bowels of mercy and compassion within us Now we are humble and lowly in heart and of a meek and quiet Spirit suitable to the nature of our Father that is in heaven and thus the Baptisme of the Spirit brings forth the new nature in us Mat. 5 and makes us mercifull as our heavenly Father is mercifull Much more may bee said concerning the Baptisme of the Spirit given forth in a Commission by him who had all power in heaven and earth but this brief discovery of this clear truth I doubt not but it is sufficient to satisfie those that see truth in its own light Even those that have the two great witnesses to witnesse unto them and to confirm them in the truth which is the word written in the Scriptures and the eternall word written in their hearts and minds by the Spirit of the living God which Spirit is the onely witnesse within them revealing the true ministry in them of that word that is written in the Scriptures without them And without this eternall word written in the hidden man of the heart we are never able to understand the mystery of the word written in the Scriptures but till we have the witnesse in our selves we shall Antichrist like carnally understand the Scriptures And now in conclusion of this point I desire all men seriously to consider in their own Consciences which they do think is most suitable to all power in heaven and earth to give out a Commission to baptise men into the name and nature and image and likenesse of God or into materiall water which was but a figure of good things to come and a fore-runner of the substance as the authour himself of it doth clearly testifie as before is witnessed But I know as flesh and bloud cannot inherit the Kingdome of God so neither can corrupt and carnall Principles in the heart of man receive the clear and bright discoveries of God in spirit till the principles of Antichrist the man of sin and mystery of iniquity be quite destroyed out of the hearts and minds of men for so far as men are carnall so far they will worship the Gods of the earth And this will be till the God of heaven have famished them all which will be in his clear and bright coming in spirit power from on high Zep. 2. 11. 2 Thes 2. 8. But now we proceed to the next part of our Discourse which is to shew the testimony of the word how the Nations came to be partakers of the Baptisme of Christ and that it doth appear to be spirit-Baptisme and answers clearly to the Commission of Christ to his Disciples Mat. 28. wherein it doth clearly appear that Christs Commission to his Apostles was as we have before declared to baptise men into the name of God or Father Son and Spirit and not into materiall water as men do carnally understand it First we have a clear testimony in the 11 Chapter of the Acts of the accomplishing of this great
that so we should serve sin no longer Let us once more briefly consider of the words of the Apostle here V. 3. Those that were baptised into Jesus Christ were baptised into his death therefore not into materiall water for the death of Christ with the power and vertue thereof is not nor cannot be materiall water therefore the Baptisme here spoken of cannot be meant of materiall water V. 4. We are buried with him by Baptisme into death therefore not into materiall water for death and water is not one but by vertue of our being baptised into death with Christ so as Christ was raised by the glory of the Father so we should walk in newnesse of life by vertue of our partaking of the power of Christs death and resurrection in this spirituall Baptisme which consists in power from on high V. 5. The Apostle concludes it must so follow for if we have been planted together in the likenesse of his death we shall be also in the likenes of his Resurrection and here let us observe what he before called baptising into Christ baptising into his death buried with him into death by Baptisme now he calls planting together in the likenesse of his death c. but materiall water cannot plant us into the likenesse of Christs death which is in effect the destroying of sin therefore the Baptisme here cannot be materiall water but it is the Baptisme of the Spirit which onely is able to destroy sin and all evill in us and to bring forth the image and likenesse of Christ in us in our new birth and so we see the Commission was fulfilled in changing people from their own name and likenesse and to bring forth the name and likenesse of God in them 3. Again we have another Testimony of the great effect of Spirit Baptisme upon the Corinthians 1 Cor. 6. 11. v. 9 10. the Apostle reckons up severall works of the flesh that raigns in those that shall inherit the Kingdome of God v. 11. he tells them that some of them were such and he also tells them how they came to be changed but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God Here was the work of all power in heaven ad earth wrought upon poor sinfull souls that were full of all abominations and all filthinesse of flesh and Spirit and this was done by washing sanctifying and justifying in the name of him who had all power in heaven and earth given unto him for this very work that souls might be washed cleansed sanctified purified and justified and here is the spirits work also in this great and mighty change wrought in those Corinthians in the name of the Lord Jesus and in the spirit of our God Here is a Testimony of the coming forth of the word spirit of eternal being even from the bosome of eternall love and kindnesse pity and compassion for the eternall God of poor wretched sinfull creatures and here the word and spirit of eternal being coming forth in power from on high is implyed about this great work of wonder in washing cleansing purifying sanctifying and justifying poor undone souls that ly wallowing in their own blood and filthinesse What think ye O ye that have any love to the truth Here you may see a washing but not with material water but a washing in the pure river of water of life clear as Crystall coming forth from the Fountain of all life and sweetnesse and this water is onely able to wash cleanse and sanctifie souls and spirits from all sin and filthinesse of flesh and spirit We can ascribe nothing at all unto materiall water in this great work of washing cleansing sanctifying and justifying of souls in the presence of the infinitely righteous pure and holy God but we do ascribe the whole work hereof unto the mighty God in the Baptism of the eternall Spirit which consists onely in power from on high in spirituall washing in the pure river of living water which continues in us a well of water springing up unto eternall life and I could wish with my whole heart that those who professe to know God would not undervalue the Baptism of the eternall Spirit and set us a poore and beggerly element in the room of so glorious a Baptisme that consists in all power in heaven and earth but now we proceed to the next Testimony Fourthly the next testimony of creatures being baptised into Christ is Gal. 3. 27. For as many of you as have been baptised into Christ have put on Christ The baptisers of our times as they say they are do quite crosse the witnesse of the word here for the Apostle saith here that as many of them as had been baptised into Christ had put on Christ but they say none must put on Christ that is professe Christ first and be baptised in materiall water afterward but the Apostle saith no such thing here though this were the practise of Johns Baptisme and used afterward as we shall shew more hereafter when we come to answer objections but to observe a little from the words 1. The word saith they were baptised into Christ therefore not into water 2. As many as were baptised into Christ had put on Christ but all that were baptised in material water had not put on Christ no not in those very times Simon Magus for example c. But now we shall observe what it is to be baptised into Christ and what it is to put on Christ which is the effect of being baptised into Christ those that are baptised into Christ are baptised into the power of Christs death and Resurrection and so our sin evill is destroyed by the presence of the power of Christs death in us and a new life is brought forth in us by vertue of Christ living in us And Christ living in us is in all his divine appearances in Spirit and life Christ living in us in the glory of the Father brings forth in us a principle of divine love light wisdome power righteousnesse holinesse purity truth faithfulnesse c. and thus as we have declared before we are baptised into all the divine appearances of Christ in Spirit and so by vertue of being baptised into Christ in all his goodnesse being that fountain of fullnesse of divine treasures in whom God will make creatures partakers of his own name nature I say by vertue of being thus bapsed into Christ we do really put on Christ in his manifestations in light and love by vertue of being baptised into Christ we do really put on Christ in his manifestations in light and love by vertue of being baptised into Christ we walk in the light of Christ and thus we shine forth in the light of God among a crooked perverse people among whom we do live and likewise we do live in the love of Christ this love doth appear unto all men thus we
fulfill the Law of Christ to do as we would be done unto and so living in the love of Christ a principle of divine love is brought forth in us and from this love within us we walk in love unto all and are filled with Kindnesse Pity Bowels of Compassion Humblenesse of Mind meeknesse of Spirit c. unto all our fellow-creatures And Christ being the true way into the possession and injoyment of all the goodnesse of the eternall God and we being baptised into Christ we are partakers of the true and eternal salvation in the true way the Father hath opened for creatures to possesse his love and goodnesse in unto eternity and in this Baptisme we are taken up into God and so we live above all the wayes of this world in Christ and in him in the Father in spirit the onely true way into all happinesse and the onely happinesse to eternity and Christ is also the truth and we being baptised into Christ are made partakers of the truth as it is in Jesus but those who are baptised in materiall water may still live in error for all this but those who are baptised into Christ who is the truth they live in the truth walk in the truth act in the truth and speak truth yea they that put on Christ in truth and are clothed with truth righteousnesse holinesse purity syncerity c. as with a Garment And so as Christ is so are they in this world and so every one that is baptised into Christ have put on Christ and so do appear in the likenesse of Christ in the new Creation the work of God alone in spirit and power from on high Fifthly We have another clear testimony of the Baptisme of the spirit the onely true spirituall washing in Eph. 5. 25 26. and how it is wrought according to the Commission of Christ Mat. 28. the words are these Husbands love your wives even as Christ also loved the Church and gave himself for it that he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word Here is a clear testimony of the accomplishing the Commission of Christ upon those people that belonged to his church 1. Here is Christs love to his Church 2. Here is the effect of his love he gave himself for his Church And 3. Here is the end why he gave himself for his Church or people and that is that he might sanctifie and cleanse it 4. Here is the means whereby this is done it is with the washing of water by the word And now the end of all is that it might be presented unto himself a glorious Church without spot or wrinckle or any thing like spot or wrinckle but holy and without blame And now that this great work of washing sanictfying cleansing and purifying the Church of Christ may be accomplished the end of his redeeming it now he was risen and had finished the great work of redeeming his Church now all power in heaven and in earth is given unto him for the reforming of his Church And now Christ having received all power in heaven and earth for the accomplishing this great work of sanctifying and cleansing his Church that this may be done he gives his Apostles a Commission to Go teach all Nations and in this ministry Baptise them into name of Father Son and Spirit and so as instruments sprinkle the name of God upon them and dip them into the pure river of water of life which is onely able to sanctifie and cleanse them that so they might be holy and without blame in the presence of God and of the Lamb who is undefiled Now this is the means whereby Christ sanctifieth and cleanseth his Church with the washing of water by the word now the word being the ministration of the eternall Spirit and given forth in all power in heaven and earth though unto weak creatures Yet the word they preached being the ministration of the Spirit and all power in heaven and earth being present in their ministry they are made instruments in the hand of God for the accomplishing this great work of sanctifying and cleansing souls with the washing of living water by the ministry of the word of life This was that administration that God had declared by the Prophets long before that should be accomplished in the latter dayes as in Isa 35. 6. In the Wildernesse shall waters break out and streams in the Desart v. 7. And the parched ground shall become a pool and the thirsty land springs of water c. And chap. 41. 18. I will open rivers in high places and fountains in the middest of the vallies I will make the wildernesse a pool of water and the dry land springs of water c. and chap. 44. 3. For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty and flouds upon the dry ground I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed and my blessing upon thy Offspring See also Ezek. 16. 8 9. and chap. 36. 25 26. and cap. 47. with Joel 2. and severall other places that God did declare by his Prophets that should be fulfilled unto us in Gospel-times which is the ministration of the Spirit as saith the apostle 1 Pet. 1. 12. c. This is the way that the onely wise God is pleased to pour out the fountain of living waters upon his people in these latter dayes even in the ministry of the word this is the way God will sanctifie wash and cleanse his people with the washing of water by the word Now this dispensation of God being mighty it brings forth mighty effects in the world upon the Sons of men for the power of God being present in this Gospel ministry it makes his people willing in this day of his power it is mighty through God to throw down the strong holds of sin to turn men from darknesse to light and from the power of the Devill to God In this Ministry God doth by his mighty power bring forth the new nature in his people and makes all things new in them and God in this ministry enters into an eternall Covenant with his people to be their God for ever and they to be his people to Eternity In this ministry of the word through the operation of the eternall spirit God brings forth a principle of power to believe in him alone and trust in him alone and God doth by this ministry take off his people from all dependence upon creatures and creature-excellency and sets them upon the rock of ages in whom is everlasting strength In this ministry God doth enter into an evelasting Covenant with his people and give them a new heart and Spirit according to his promise and pour clean water upon them and make them clean and wash them from all their filthinesse and this is the onely water of the Gospel and the onely washing of the new Testament but Gospel-washing is an outward and carnall or legall washing as carnall creatures do imagine And thus we see
the ministry of the Spirit in Gospel-times is set forth by a spirituall water-washing cleansing c. and the ministry of the spirit is a spirituall washing of spirituall water by the word as we have clear Testimony from the word written in the Scriptures suitable to the word written in the hidden man of the heart the work of God alone See John 4. 14. But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of living water springing up into everlasting life c. Here Christ takes the woman off from all carnal and outward observations of the spirituall waters of his spirituall Kingdome and sets her a looking after the true waters of life that flows out from the Fountain of life Again John 3. 5. Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdome of God But materiall water hath no place in bringing forth a new birth for Christ saith That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit but it is unpossible matâ—riall water can bring forth any part of the new birth but if they were old creatures before and dipped or sprinckled with earthly water they are so still It is onely the Heavenly water that hath force to wash away sin and to bring forth the new birth in us as those can witnesse that have this heavenly birth brought forth in them and are washed with pure water of Life Sixthly We have another Testimony of the Baptisme of Christ in the Epistle to the Colossians that they were made partakers of the Baptisme of Christ 1. Col. 2. 12. in vers 8. The Apostle bids them beware of Philosophy vain deceits the traditions of men the rudiments or Elements of the world c. and is not water-Baptisme an Element of this world among the rest as a tradition or carnall Ordinance c. as we may see v. 20 21 22 23. 2. V. 9. The Apostle sets forth Christ to be the onely substance that we ought to look after For in him dwelleth all the substance of the Godhead bodily and all fullnesse being in him see in the next place what doth follow 3. Ye are compleat in him which is the head of all principalities and powers our compleatnesse consists in Christs being in us and our being in him and no part of our compleatnesse can consist in any of the Elements of this world therefore not in being thrown into the Element of water 4. V. 11. He takes them off from that ancient and honorable Ceremony of Circumcision in the flesh and sets them a looking into the Substance which was the Circumcision made without hands and this was the putting off the body of sinnes of the flesh by the Circumcision of Christ which is spirituall for nothing but Spirit can destroy Flesh 5. Having now set forth the true Circumcision which is truly spirituall he comes now to set forth the true and substantiall Baptisme which also is truly spirituall vers 12. buried with him in Baptisme wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God who hath raised him from the dead c. Now we are not onely buried with Christ in Baptisme but in this Baptisme we are also risen with Christ wherein also ye are risen with Christ but wee may be buried under earthly water and yet never risen with Christ therefore this cannot be the Baptisme here spoken of but in the following words we have the power of God set forth by which this is done even the faith of the operation of God who hath raised Christ from the dead He that hath raised Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortall bodies Here is still relation to the Resurrection of Christ Now we know that after Christ was risen from the dead then all power in heaven and in earth was given unto him of God the Father for the gathering in of his Church that he had redeemed out of every Kingdome People and Nation c. and this was the effect of the Commission Mat 28. Baptising them into the name of Father Son and Spirit So here as the Apostle takes off the Colossions from looking after Circumcision in the flesh so he also takes them off from looking after the Baptisme of water that was but fleshly or in outward washing And as he takes them off from all types and outward resemblances which were in use before the substance came so noâ— he sets forth the substance which is the Baptisme of the Spirit by which they were baptised into Christ and so made partakers of the power and vertue of Christs death and resurrection in which Baptism they were made partakers of the fâ—â—lnesse of God and so were compleat in Christ who is the expresse image and glory of the Father And thus we are buried with Christ in Baptisme and By vertue hereof we are raised from a dead state of sin and evill unto a new life by being baptised into the power of Christs death and resurrection and the power and vertue hereof operating in our souls and spirits changeth and transforms us into the image and likenesse of the Lord Jesus Christ and so the new nature is brought forth in us and we are born from above of water and the Spirit not of flesh and bloud nor of fleshly forms as the world and carnall Church is for it is nothing but Spirit and spirituall waters that can bring forth the spirituall birth in us That which is born of the Spirit is Spirit and nothing but the Spirit Baptisme can baptise us into Christ and his fullnesse for water-baptisme cannot make us partakers of his fullnesse we can onely have unity in a form in this but not unity in the fullnesse of Christ that iâ— onely to be had in Spirit and Spirit Baptisme Unity in forms mâ—kes outside Christians but unity in Christ and the eternall nature in him makes Christians indeed not onely in name but also in nature not in word onely but in power not onely outwardly but in the inward man Seventhly We have another Testimony how Paul and other believers came to be partakers of the goodnesse of God in eternall salvation after they had lived an evil life in the world before it is in Titus 3 4 5. but after that the kindnesse and love or pity of God our Saviour toward man appeared not by works of righteousnesse which we have done but according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the holy Spirit which he shed in us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour c. 1. Here is the kindnesse of God toward man appearing 2. This love of God to us is not from our works of righteousnesse 3. But it is of meere mercy that God doth save us 4. Here is the means set forth whereby God doth save us and that is
by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the holy Spirit 5. This is shed forth abundantly on us in Jesus Christ 6. In the partaking of Salvation in this Spirituall washing and spirituall renewing we are justified by the Grace of God 7. And being justified by free grace we are made Heirs and have hope of eternall life or according to the hope of eternall life O that we could in this clear discovery of the eternall God behold his Testimony in this place in the clear light and wisdome of the eternall Spirit for then we should not look so low as we do upon earthly and carnall observations of the things of God and especially of the Baptisme of the eternall Spirit the onely Baptisme of the new Testament but then we should look upon it as it is the work of all power in heaven and earth according to its first institution and then we should see the glorious effects of it fulfilled in the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the holy spirit then we should see the new birth brought forth in souls by this spirituall washing the work of God alone in the operation and renewing of his Spirit or wrought by his spirit in us Here is declared the true Gospel-washing even the saving of souls from sin and all uncleannesse here is the great Gospel-promises fulfilled with a witnesse even opening a fountain of pure living water and pouring it forth upon the barren wildernesse and the dry ground the barren dry and unfruitfull ground of unbelievers are by this Spirituall washing made the Garden of the Lord and being trees of the Lords planting they are watered every moment and refreshed and comforted with the streams of that river that makes glad the City of God This is the true washing that washeth away the fiâ—thines and polluâ—ions of the sons and daughters of Zion coming forth from that eternall fountain the Lord of Hosts who dwelleth in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem making his people a fit habitation for himself to dwell in by washing away their filthinesse in the pure waters of the Spirit of life flowing out from the Lord God and from the Lamb whose habitation they are in the Spirit and spirituall washing Here is the work of all power in heaven and earth in saving souls by spirituall washing and this onely is suitable to the Commission of Christ Mat. 28. spirituall washing or baptising in which we are made partakers of the name nature of God being by the presence of the eternal Spirit in us washed renewed regenerated sanctified and cleansed from our own filthinesse sin and pollution which is contrary to God and all appearances of God in Spirit Here is the great Gospel-work of saving creatures from their sin and all iniquity by the love kindnesse and mercy of the Lord Jehovah and here is the way also set forth in which the Lord Jehovah saveth souls from sin it is by spirituall washing and spirituall renewing of them by the work of the eternall spirit and O that we were more sensible of the glorious work of all power in heaven and earth manifested in us in washing and cleansing us from all sin and uncleannesse and bringing forth the pure and divine nature in us which work is of the Lord alone and not of man who is as nothing and vanity it self The Baptism or washing of the New Testament is not like those carnall legal figurative and typicall washings c. which were administred either by Moses or John in which the substance of the great things to come were figured out or declared to come after But the substance it self goeth forth in the Baptisme or washing of the New Testament this washing is to purpose for in it and by it we are washed and saved from our sin and this is the substantiall and onely washing of all washings Eighthly we have another clear Testimony of the true and spirituall washing the onely Baptisme of the New Testament 1 Pet. chapter 3. verse 21. the words are these The like figure or example whereunto Baptisme doth also now save us not the putting away the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience toward God by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ c. Here we have the true Baptisme of the New Testament set forth and the people taken off from all outward washings not the washing of water 1. Here the Apostle declares the saving of Noah and his family in the Ark from drowning by water v. 20. and now he tells them of another kind of saving and this is by water of which that was a signe or example or this is an example of that c. Baptisme doth now save us but is it water-Baptisme that doth save us now no saith he not the washing of the filth of the flesh what then why the answer of a good conscience but whereby is the answer of a good conscience brought forth not by water-Baptisme but by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Here is a clear allusion to the Resurrection of Christ and to the power and vertue thereof for then Christ received all power in heaven and earth for the accomplishing this great work of spirituall Baptism or washing and so the power and vertue hereof doth baptise souls into the goodnesse of God cleanse and purifie their Consciences and so the answer of a good Conscience is brought forth in them by vertue of Christs Resurrection by virtue whereof soules are washed and cleansed from an evill and corrupt Conscience whereby all men are naturally defiled by sin and evill The like testimony of spiritual Baptisme or Washing we have declared Heb. 10. 22. in v. 20. the Apostle describes a new and living way by whom we do enter into the holiest place even the presence of the infinitely holy God and in this 22. v. he declares how it is that we doe draw neer unto God in this new and living way it is by having our hearts sprinkled from an evill conscience and our bodies washed with pure water So here we see how the answer of a good Conscience is brought forth it is by being sprinkled with pure water but our earthly waters will not nor cannot bring forth such effects in us it is onely the waters of the Spirit that can doe this that river of pure water of life that John saw Revel 22. 1. and this is the onely water that washeth sprinkleth and clenseth hearts spirits souls consciences and bodies from all evill sinne filthinesse and uncleanenesse of the whole man Thus I have faithfully declared the true Gospell baptisme as I have received from the Lord agreeable to the word written in the Scriptures and also the eternall Word written in the hidden man of the heart the two great Witnesses of God in the World And now I know this clear truth of God revealed in the clear light and wisdome of the Eternal Spirit will not with many opposers as it hath already throw mens carnal understanding of the Baptism of
once commanded yet no Ceremony is still in force for all Ceremonies ended in respect of the command of them when the Substance came 2. Whatsoever was not a command in Christs Kingdome is not still in force because not a command in Christs Kingdome and water-Baptisme was not a command in Christs Kingdome but a fore-runner of it as is clear by severall Scriptures therefore it is not still in force if you look John the Baptist will tell you in severall places that it was a fore-runner of Christ he being the minister thereof and going before Christ Objection 7. The Baptisme of John was from heaven and the counsell of God and they that resisted it resisted the counsell of God against themselves Answer 1 I grant this to be a clear truth being observed in its time and place but observe all the Mosaicall Laws Ceremonies shadows types and figures were once the commmands of God and those that obeyed them not but resisted and refused them they died without mercy under two or three witnesses but when it was all finished and the ends for which it was ordained were accomplished and the fullnesse of time come that the substance was present which had been figured out in them then the Apostle calls them beggarly rudiments and asks the Collossians why they were subject to them Colos chapter 2. 2. As those that resisted Johns Baptisme in its time did resist the counsell of God then so these do now resist the counsell of God that do deny the Baptisme of the Spirit it being that administration of God that is spirit and life and the very substance of what was figured out before And if they resisted the counsell of God that did resist an outward and bodily washing which was then appointed of God to go before the substance what manner of counsel do they resist that do resist the Baptisme of the eternall spirit coming forth from the eternall God in all power in heaven and earth which think you hath greatest power in it the foregoing figure or the present substance Consider of this you that say there is no spirit-Baptisme now is not this denying the power and setting of a form Ob. 8. That place Mat. 28. 19. Where Christ gives his Disciples Commission to teach all Nations baptising them c. must be meant of water-Baptisme for without water no Baptisme An. 1. There is no other Baptisme besides water or else John was out when he bears witnesse of another Baptisme that should come after his Baptisme and that it should be administred by another manner of person than he was Mat. 3. 11. I indeed saith he do baptise you with water but there is one that cometh after me that is mightier than I be shall baptise you with the holy Spirit and with fire So here you see all Baptisme is not water there is some fire-Baptisme too 2. If the word of truth did not bear witnesse to another kind of water and washing by water besides our earthly waters then you had some ground for this conceit but the Scriptures and spirituall souls that are partakers of the true spirituall washing purifying and baptising in the strength of all power in heaven and earth such souls can with the word written bear witnesse to another manner of Baptisme and washing than any earthly washing in earthly rivers I have already in the former part of this discourse born witnesse to this true and Spirituall washing I will onely here cite some witnesses of the written word that prove clearly another kind of water and of washing then mens washings are in earthen fountains Psal 46. 4. Ezeck 16. and cap. 47. Isa 35. and cap. 44. 3. John 4. 14. John 7. 38 39. 1 Cor. 12. 13. Rev. 22. 1. 17. Isa 55. 1 2. Now consider if you could make it appear clearly by the Word that there were no other Waters but our earthly waters and no other washing but our earthly washing then you might also affirm there were no other Baptisme but with materiall Water but till you can prove this by the witnes of Truth we cannot believe the Baptisme in Matt. 28. 19. Can be earthly Water or earthly Washing or earthly Baptisme but heavenly Water heavenly Washing heavenly Baptisme suitable to power from on high Object 9. Water Baptisme is a command of Christ from Matth. 28. 19. Go teach all nations baptising them c. Here is water Baptisme given by command from Christ and so we doe follow it upon this ground Answ 1. Though I have already declared what the Commission is yet I shall also answer to this Objection in several particulars First there is not one word of materiall Water spoken of in this place but the Commission was to Baptise them into the Name of God or Father Son and Spirit nor no where else that I could yet see by Commission from Christ Therefore not material Water for the name of God is not material water neither is this Baptisme material Water 2. Your interpretation is quite contrary to the nature of the Commission for materiall Water doth not suite with all power in heaven and earth that being but an outward washing but all power in heaven and earth do accomplish an inward and spiritual washing and clensing from sin and all uncleannesse which outward washing could not do therefore outward washing is contrary to the nature of Christs Commission as it is contrary to the name of God and all power in Heaven and Earth 3. Water Baptisme suites not with a dispensation that is wholly spirituall but belonged to a precedent dispensation that had passed before in Johns time of whom he was the right Administrator and we never read of any that was sent to Baptize with Water but John as he declares he was let all Water-men in England come forth with such a word from Christ or his Apostles John 2. 33. and I will believe it that they were sent by command from Christ to baptise with material water 4. Water Baptisme is contrary to the kingdome of Christ which is within all Believers that are Believers indeed and Christ would not give his Apostles a Commission to practise that which was contrary to his kingdome or that was no part of it for Water Baptisme was a legall washing and that which went before that spirituall administration which Christ and John also calls the kingdom of God and of Christ Matt. 3. Mark 1. 15. therefore Christ would not give his Apostles Commission to set up a shaddow in the room of the substance for the kingdome of Christ is wholy spiritual and comes not with outward shews or observations But it consists in righteousnesse and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit and it is not brought forth in Saints by any outward observations Neither doth it come unto them in with by or through any carnal outward or legall ordinance as washing or the like but in power from on high wrought within them by all power in heaven and earth and now a
divine power and that God doth accomplish this great work by means this we do also affirm And to this end Christ gave his Apostles a Commission to go forth in the strength of power from on high and teach all Nations and in this Ministery they were instruments in the hand of God to sprinkle the name of God upon the people c. their very Ministery being power from on high for they were not to go forth till they had received power from on high Luke 24. 49. Act. 1. 4 5 8. And so as instruments inabled by all power in heaven and earth they went forth in the Ministery of the Spirit and in this spiritual administration God made them instruments to baptize men into the Name of God the power of God being present in their Ministery for the accomplishing of this great work and so though it be the work of God alone to baptize with the Spirit yet when it pleaseth God to pour out his spirit in such a way and by such means for the effecting so great a work and to give out such treasure in earthen vessels that the power glory and praise may be of God alone what is man that he should oppose it or deny it Oh man remember thou art in the hand of thy Maker as the clay is in the hand of the potter and God hath made his Ministers a savour of life unto some and a savor of death unto others and who is sufficient for these things None but those whose sufficiency is of God alone 3 The same power that enables men to turn men from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God the same power doth enable men to baptize with the spirit and we do read Act. 26. 18. that God sent Paul to turn men from darkness to light c. and why then not to baptize with the Spirit for it is alike unpossible for men to do the one as the other by their own power and if you will deny the one then you may as well deny the other and so turn the truth into a lie but let God be true and every man a lyar who is opposer of truth 4 Paul declares that he had in Jesus Christ begotten the Corinthians through the Gospel Paul was here an instrument in the power of Jesus Christ to beget sons and daughters unto God and so he was their Father in Christ in the Spirit and in the Gospel the Ministery of the Spirit 1 Cor. 4. 15. and why then not to baptize men into the name of God which consists in all good as well as to beget them unto God what difference can you make here here Seeing the substance is all one 5 We have another proof of the mighty effect of the Apostles Ministery 2 Cor. 3. 2 3 Ye are our Epistle written in our hearts known and read of all men Ye are manifestly declared the Epistle of Christ ministred by us written not with ink but with the spirit of the living God not in tables of stone but in the fleshly tables of the heart Observe here first the Corinthians were an Epistle written by the Apostles Secondly they were manifestly declared to be the Epistle of Christ Thirdly Ministred by the Apostles Fourthly written by the Spirit of the living God in the hearts of the people Here it is cleer that God made men instruments through the power and operation of the eternal Spirit for the writing of the Law of the spirit of life upon their hearts and so herein is the great Gospel-promise fulfilled in this Ministery of writing the Laws of God in his peoples hearts and putting his Spirit in them and causing them to walk in his ways all this is fulfilled by instruments in the hand of divine power and this agreeth with spirit-baptism exactly 5 But that things may be cleared in plain words consider Eph. 5. 26. here is washing mentioned and it is by the word and this hath exact relation to the Commission Matt. 28. the Apostles had Commission to preach to the world and in their Ministery to baptize the Nations into the name of God And here is declared that Christ useth the word in this great work of sanctifying clensing and purifying the Church that he might sanctifie and clense it with the washing of water by the word Now the Apostles were to preach the word and so in the Ministery of the word preached by the Apostles this great work of washing and clensing souls through the power of the eternal spirit was accomplished And so it is cleer to those that have eyes to see that the true Ministers of Jesus Christ who are indued with power from on hiâ—h they are made instruments in the hand of all power in heaven and earth for the effecting the great work of spirit-baptism wherein creatures are made partakers of the name and nature of God and so they are washed clensed sanctified and made pure and holy yea an habitation for the Lord of glory and so they are clensed with the washing of water by the Ministery of the word which is the Ministery of the spirit that giveth life and all good Obj. 18. This baptism spoke of in the Commission cannot be meant of spirit-baptism because the spirit is not given in a precept but in a promise and the Commission is a precept Go teach c. Answ 1. How is it possible men can be so ignorant that they cannot believe there is a promise in all power in heaven and earth and so blinde that they cannot see it or will not for if men could but see they might behold a promise in the Commission for he that gave them the Commission promised them to be with them always even unto the end And if he unto whom all power was given would be with them unto the end then sure a promise would be with them yea and more then a promise for all promises were with them and all power with them seeing he would be with them in whom all promises are Yea and Amen to the glory of God the Father 2 The Ministery they were to go forth in was the whole mystery of God opâ—ned to the sons of men in the depth and heighth and length and breadth of infâ—nite and eternally rich grace and free love unto the sons of men wherein they should â—e maâ—e partakers of eternal life and salvation in God And oh What blindness is here that cannot see a promise in the whole mystery of eternal love and salvation in God freely given and revealed unto men which is that dispensation wherein God doth bring his people out of the ways of the woâ—ld into the possession and enjoyment of himself in light and love 3 Christ who gave the Apostles a Commission to go and teach all Nations he also commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem till they had received the promise of the Father but to wait there till they were endued with power from on high Act. 1. 4 5 8.