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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A41824	A treatise concerning baptism, and the Lord's Supper shewing, that the true disciples of Christ are sent to baptize men into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for the carrying on of which, Christ is with them, and will be, to the end of the world : also, a few words concerning the Lord's Supper, shewing that those that sup with him are in his kingdom.	Gratton, John, 1641-1712.; Gratton, John, 1641-1712. John Baptist's decreasing and Christ's increasing witnessed.	1695 (1695)	Wing G1587; ESTC R39440	63,790	157

Death being come over all for that all had sinned so he suffered for us the Just for the Unjust that he might bring us to God and they that take up his Cross deny themselves and follow him and share with him of his Cup of his Sufferings and of his Baptism So I hope I need say no more of this to shew there is a baptizing dipping or plunging into other things besides Water and that this and not outward Water tends throughly to wash purge purifie and make clean the Soul Spirit and Bodies of Men and Women and bring them to be Vessels of Honour fit for the Masters use and service So here is neither need nor ground for Sprinkling at all no neither dipping nor plunging in Water nor any lasting Command or Institution that can be shewn tho' we grant some Apostles did use Water-Baptism for a time not seeing fully through things at first as they did afterwards yet they had no Command for it for Christ himself Baptized none with Water nor gave his Apostles any Commission to do it so that after some time that they grew up to Man's state in Christ Jesus they came to see as Paul saith When I was a Child I spoke as a Child I thought as a Child I understood as a Child but when I became a Man I put away childish things and then they more fully preached Christ the Substance and that in him all fullness dwelt and that Christ was not now entered into the Holy Places made with Hands which are Figures of the true but into Heaven itself now to appear in the presence of God for us Heb 9.24 And Verse 14. The Blood of Christ who through the Eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your Consciences from dead works to serve the Living God So that it 's clear Christ is not in the Figures but in Heaven itself and they that enjoy him are where he is and have their Conversation there where he sits and reigns so the Substance is come and is preached and testified of to whom the Prophets bare witness and testified beforehand of his Sufferings and the Glory that should follow This is he that knows every State and is the End of every Type Figure and Shadow as Peter saith speaking of Noah's Ark 1 Pet 3.21 22. wherein few that was Eight Souls were saved comes now to shew that even as the Ark saved them so the Antitype Baptism now saveth us What Baptism I Answer That Baptism of the Spirit or being Baptized into that which saves us now from the Deluge of Sin which destroyeth the World now even Baptism into Christ into his Name for there is no other Name given by which we can be saved this I say saves Men as fully now from Sin and so from Death as Noah's Ark saved him and those that were with him from the Flood that then destroyed the Old World and as Peter further saith Not the putting or washing away the filth of the Flesh but the answer of a good Conscience towards God by the Resurrection of Christ Iesus who is gone into Heaven and is on the Right Hand of God Angels Authorities and Powers being made subject unto him and what must not Types and Figures give way to him Doth not Peter clearly shew it was not outward washing the filth of the Flesh but the cleansing of the Heart and Conscience For he saw plainly beyond the outward Water-washing to the inward washing with Water by the Word Christ Jesus that he might present unto himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish Eph. 5.26 27. So here is a washing that exceeds Moses's Laver and Iohn's Iordan washing for it makes clean the inside and these are inward Iews or Iews inward for as they were not Iews that were Iews outward who only had the Type or Figure and came no farther but were of the Synagogue of Satan no more are they Christians that were only so outward And tho' they say they are Christians yet they are unregenerate unclean within unwashed with the blood of Christ yea they are of the Synagogue of Satan Rev. 2.9 and so it was called Blasphemy of Old as you may see in this Scripture to say they were Iews and were not and what is it now Doth it not blast the Fame of Christ Jesus and his great Name for Men to say they are Christians and are not Oh! therefore take Christ's Counsel come unto him be baptized of him washed by him sanctified by him made new Creatures in him and by him and be Disciples Followers Subjects and Obeyers of him so that whatever he bids you do ye may do it in his own Name and dwell in his Kingdom of Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost for all outward Dipping and Sprinkling in or with Water leaves Men and Women out of the Kingdom of God short of Enjoyment of God short of Eternal Life short of Power to become Sons of God short of Mount Sion the City of the Living God the Heavenly Ierusalem short of the innumerable Company of Angels and of the General Assembly and Church of the First-born which are written in Heaven and of the Spirits of Just Men made perfect and of Jesus the Mediator of the the New Covenant and of the Blood of Sprinkling mark not Water sprinkling that blood that speaks better things than that of Abel See now that ye refuse not him that speaks from Heaven for he speaks with Authority and not as the Scribes Hypocrites and High-Priests for if they escaped not that refused him that spoke on Earth much more shall not we escape if we turn away from him that speaks from Heaven whose Voice then shook the Earth but now he hath promised saying Yet once more I shake not the Earth only but the Heavens also and this word yet once more signifies the removing of those things that are shaken as of things that are made that those things that cannot be shaken may remain so that those things that are made and are shakeable things though they be Heavens if shakeable if made they give place to the New Heavens in which dwells Righteousness that cannot be shaken so the Rock of Ages the sure Foundation the Durable Riches of the Gentiles the Lasting Treasure the Life that 's Eternal the Son that abides in the House for ever he remains for all the Ends of the Earth to look unto and be saved for all Nations to flow unto and be safe who hath all Power in Heaven and in Earth therefore all People that read this be exhorted to turn in all your Minds to the Appearance of Christ in all your Hearts and come unto him in Spirit for he appears by his Spirit in your inward Man and lets you see your States and Conditions lets you see all your Thoughts Words Deeds Secret Lusts and Vile Affections if ye give heed unto it

A TREATISE CONCERNING BAPTISM AND THE Lord's Supper SHEWING That the true Disciples of Christ are sent to Baptize Men into the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost for the Carrying on of which Christ is with them and will be to the End of the World Also A Few Words concerning the Lord's Supper shewing that those that Sup with him are in his Kingdom Matt. 28.19 All Power is given unto me in Heaven and in Earth Go ye therefore teach all Nations baptizing them in i. e. into the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost And lo I am with you always even to the End of the World John 1.12 As many as received him to them he g●●e Power to become the Sons of God Acts 1.8 Ye shall receive Power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you Rev. 21.6 I will give unto him that is athirst of the Fountain of the Water of Life freely London P●●nted and Sold by T. Sowle in White-Hart-Court in Gracious-street 1695. TO THE Unprejudiced READER A few Words Friendly Reader THOV cannot chuse if thou be a Man that lives in this Age and Northern part of the World but be very sensible that the Divisions amongst People now is very great relating to Christianity and yet all seem very Zealous in their Way or at least some of all sorts are much satisfied in their Way though there are few know the Way of Peace or can tell what that Peace is which is the Peace of God that passeth the Vnderstanding of all Natural Men be they never so highly Learned in Tongues Arts and Languages For it is not Humane Learning that can make Men Spiritual Men nor bring Men Acquainted with God or to the Knowledge of God who is a Spirit but they that learn Obedience and live Soberly Righteously and Godly in this present evil World through the Teachings of the Grace of God and denying Vngodliness and Worldly Lusts these have a Promise from Christ Iesus in these words He that doth my Will shall know of my Doctrine which suits well with his Testimony that said The Secrets of the Lord are with them that fear him So that they are the best Disciples best Scholars best Learned that have learned to live in Righteousness and true Holiness and to forsake that which is Evil and cleave unto that which is Good But since Babylon the Mystery of Iniquity the Mother of Harlots got upon the Beast we have seen many a beastly drunken and unclean Man pretend to be a spiritual Man and a Minister of the Gospel and hath not such been cried up and made great and bore Rule amongst the People who have been carried away with his Doctrine and why Because he is a greater Scholar and hath attained the Languages and can speak or write like Pilate Latin Greek and Hebrew But is he dead to Sin and alive unto Righteousness made so unto God through Christ No no if he pleads for Sin term of Life and is very angry if any Man plead not as he doth for committing Sin every Day and all his Life long yet pretends himself to be a Minister of Christ and is so acknowledged by the People But Can any Man serve two Masters Christ said They could not And Can any Man be both a Servant of Christ and a Servant of Sin also Christ saith He that commits Sin is the Servant of Sin And Iohn his beloved Apostle saith He that commits Sin is of the Devil And in my Iudgment it cannot be denied for Sin was never any Service of God but of the Devil and if Men be found in the Devil's Service and yet say They are Servants of Christ What sensible Man will believe them Now therefore here is the ground Cause of all our Divisions about Religion Rebels and Wicked Men that are gone away from God Christ the Holy Ghost and are gone into the Kingdom of Satan and live in Sin all their Days for his Kingdom is a Kingdom of Sin and yet say They are Servants of Christ Iesus and the blind People believe them though their Fruits do manifest them And these Men though they be wicked Men yet they can like the Magicians of Egypt imitate Moses and imitate Iohn the Baptist yet they bring forth nothing but what dies of it self for there is nothing of the Power and Life of God in it no Vertue of Christ so it doth People no good but leaves them as full of Corruption as it found them yet it pleaseth People to have Pillows sewed under their Arm-holes and to be smoothed over and cry Peace Peace when there is no Peace with God no Peace of Conscience so People goes on into the Pit because they believe Lyes and take Sprinkling of Infants to be Christ's Baptism and call it so and say Christ did Institute it and by it Children are made Children of God and likewise say That Bread and Wine is the Lord's Supper and That he Instituted it and yet all of them by all their Art cannot prove their Practice therefore for thy sake these following Lines are sent forth which I expect will sore offend Babylon's Merchants but God is Iudge in Heaven and will plead my Cause so that if thou find Profit in them then my End in Writing them is answered I pray God open thy Eyes and cause his Day-spring from on High to visit thee and many more Oh that his Kingdom may come Yea come Lord Iesus come quickly and set up thy Kingdom of Righteousness and Peace and thy Will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven Amen A TREATISE OF Baptism c. OUR Lord Jesus Christ when he was about to leave his Disciples as to that manner or way of Appearance which he had been in in the form of a Servant with them and had so fulfilled all those things spoken of and required by the Law and the Prophets so near as when he was about to finish them and leave the World he then not only prayed fervently for them but also spoke very sweetly and comfortably to them as may be seen at large in Iohn 14 15 16 17 Chapters giving them many holy Exhortations and Commands He also washed the Disciples Feet and when he had so done he said unto them Know ye what I have done to you Ye call me Lord and Master and-ye say well for so I am If I then your Lord and Master have washed your Feet ye ought also to wash one another's Feet for I have given you an Example that you should do as I have done to you Now tho' here is both Command and Example for washing one another's Feet yet how little is this regarded or observed by our Dippers or Sprinklers with or into Water How can they pass by this which was so plainly and positively commanded and began by him who was their Lord and Master and used such a plain and full Argument to urge them to do as he had done to them I say what Reason

Sanctifier and Purifier of all his Brethren and Members of his Body or Church and People and nothing else can for as the Work is his so the Power is his and the Glory of the Power is due to him who is Greater than Iohn c. So if Christ wash thee not thou hast no part in him John 13.8 And without Blood there is no Remission Heb. 9.22 It 's the Blood of Christ that cleanseth us from all Sin 1 John 1.7 9. Rev. 1.5 Now it 's clear from that full and clear Declaration of Christ to this Apostle of the Gentiles what he sent him to do and what Christ's Mind was to have done and did he send the rest of the Apostles with any less Authority Or to do any other Work And is not this a more excellent Work To turn People from Darknnss to Light and from Satan's Power unto God than to turn Men into Water or to sprinkle Water in the Faces of Infants and then say They are Sanctified and Changed Regenerated and Born again made new Creatures yea Children of God Members of Christ Inheritors of God's Kingdom and promise to deny the Devil and all his Works the Pomps and Vanities of this wicked World the sinful Lusts of the Flesh with all the Desires of the same so that they will not follow nor be led by them And also that they will believe all the Articles of the Christian Faith and keep God's holy Will and Commandments and walk in the same all the Days of their Life Doth not this set Christ aside and render him useless and ascribe that to Water-Baptism nay to Sprinkling that 's all wholly due to Christ as before is proved Oh where had you Commission for these things Who sent you that run into these things Shew us one tittle of any Command or Example for Sprinkling in all the Scripture how dare you say all these things are done by sprinkling Water in the Face of Infants and yet say there is none free from Sin on this side the Grave Are not New Creatures the Children of God Members of Christ Inheritors of God's Kingdom and deny the Devil and all his Works the Pomps and Vanities of this wicked World the sinful Lusts of the Flesh with all the desires of the same so that they will not follow nor be led by them and believe all the Articles of the Christian Faith and keeps God's Holy Will and Commandments and walk in the same all their days I say Are not these free from Sin that begin thus when they enter into the World and continue to their Lives end Oh consider these things People you that read and see how you are led and how the same Men that lead you thus to promise and avow teach you all your lives long to say You do those things you ought not and leave those things undone you ought to do and are miserable Sinners or Offenders having no Health in you Can Children of God Members of Christ be miserable Sinners then when they are in a Child's State and Members of Christ What Rule what Title of a Word can be shewed for these things in all Holy Scripture Is it not sadly to be lamented that People should be fed with Husk when there is Bread enough in God's House and to spare But Paul was sent upon a more profitable Work and all that are sent of God are sent to Turn People from Darkness to Light and from Satan's Power unto God Oh how few appear to be thus turned amongst the Professors of our Age So it 's clear what Christ sent Paul to do for Paul saith He sent me not to baptize 1 Cor. 1.17 but to preach the Gospel Now if Paul was not sent to Baptize as it 's clear he was not how then can we think in Reason that others were For he was not behind the chiefest of the Apostles as he himself affirms But he must needs be behind them if their Commission was larger than his but if not then it 's strange how Paul could miss of having a share in that Commission Matt. 28. If it was a Commission for Water-Baptism to them it must needs be so either to him or else he had no share in it and if he had no share in it then he was behind the other Apostles in that Now that that in Mat. 28. was a Commission for Water-Dipping and Sprinkling I deny neither did Paul understand it so at all for had he he would not nor could not have said as he did but I say if it was and he had no share in it how comes Men in our times to have Power from Mat. 28. to Dip and Sprinkle For Paul had none therefore let them tell us plainly or cease from deceiving the People But again we find that Paul Preached the Baptism of Christ and shews what it is very plainly in Rom. 6.3 Know ye not that so many of us as were Baptized into mark into Iesus Christ were Baptized into his death therefore we are buried with him by Baptism into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the Glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newness of life For if we have been planted together into the likeness of his Death we shall be also in the likeness of his Resurrection knowing this that our Old Man is Crucified with him that the body of sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sin for he that is dead is free from sin And verse 17. God be thanked that ye were the servants of sin but ye have obeyed from the Heart that Form of Doctrine which was delivered you Vers. 18. Being then made free from sin ye became the servants of Righteousness Vers. 22. But now being made free from sin and become servants to God ye have your Fruit unto Holiness and the end Everlasting Life for the wages of sin is Death but the Gift of God is Eternal Life through Iesus Christ our Lord. Come People all you that read this see if you yet know this Baptism into Christ into Death to sin and know the Old Man Crucified and put off and Christ the New Man put on that sets free from sin and makes Men Servants of God in Righteousness This Baptism is effectual to Salvation this is that we have all need of to be baptized with and if this Baptism be not known by us we fall short of freedom from sin and then the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is Eternal Life through Jesus Christ so in Christ is Life Eternal and they that are Baptized into Christ puts him on abides in him are alive unto God in him and dead to sin as the Apostle saith in the 2d verse How shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein There is surely a vast difference betwixt those that live in Christ and those that live in sin This is a fanning Baptism a cleansing purifying Baptism this

for he is the true Light that enlightens every Man coming into the World and makes all things manifest that are reproveable lays open all the hidden things of Esau yea all things are naked and bare before him with whom we have to do this is the word nigh even in our Hearts and Mouths which you ought to hear and obey this is him that is the Saviour of the Soul and washes it in his own Blood and makes it clean white and comely in his own pure Eye this is he that sent forth his Apostles and went with them was their Strength Power Wisdom yea all in them and all to them all And you are hereby invited and call'd unto to come unto him and receive him into your Hearts and Souls that you may receive Power to become the Sons of God and be deeply affected and plunged into him into his Name his Power his Spirit his Life his Love his Meekness his Patience his Purity his Divine Nature his Glory Come People here is a Baptism that is more than all Figures Types and Shadows Oh! do not sit at ease in an unclean state short of this Baptism for here is help for you and it 's laid upon him that is mighty to help you and save you to the utmost if you will but come to God by him but if ye refuse him and think to go to God by weak Elements that melt away before the Lord as he comes to take place in the Hearts of Men you will find by sad experience that they can never bring you to God nor fit you for his Kingdom but this Baptism into Christ into his Name Endues Men with Power according to Christ's Promise Ye shall receive Power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you Acts 1.8 Secondly It enables Men to be Witnesses unto Christ Jesus unto his Appearance in them and the Power of his Resurrection to raise them up in him as it did to Paul Acts 26.16 Thirdly It enables Men to pray in the Name of Christ so as what they ask God gives unto them according as Christ said Iohn 16.23 Fourthly It cleanseth both Heart and Conscience and inside of Men and Women it purges fans and purifies the Floor or Heart of Man throughly and takes away sin Iohn 1.29 For the Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into his hand John 3.35 yea all Power in Heaven and in Earth Mat 28.19 Fifthly It impowers Men to become Sons of God and to call God Father and Jesus Lord in Truth and Righteousness Gal. 4.6 Sixthly It makes Men One in Christ Jesus according to Christ's Prayer Iohn 17.11 20 21. and Gal. 3.27 28. 1 Cor. 12.13 1 Cor. 6.17 Eph. 4.3 Seventhly It brings Men to know the Love of God in them in their Hearts Iohn 17.12 Eighthly It makes Men new Creatures true Iews true Christians and brings Men to know the Old Man Crucified with his Deeds Rom. 6.6 2 Cor. 5.17 Gal. 6.15 Ninthly It makes Men free from sin sanctifies them washes and justifies them who are in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ by his Spirit 1 Cor. 6.11 Rom. 6.18 22. Tenthly It saves them that have it and none can be saved but such as have it for there 's no Salvation in any other Name Tit. 3.5 1 Pet. 3.21 Acts 4.12 Eleventhly It makes Men Temples for God to dwell in and brings Men to see God being made pure in Heart Mat. 5.8 1 Cor. 3.16 17. and Chap. 6.19 Twelfthly It enables Men to Worship God aright in Spirit and in Truth according to his Will and none else but they that have this Baptism can Iohn 4.24 Phil. 3.3 Thirteenthly It brings Men to know a new Name and the white Stone that hath the new Name in it that none knows but him that hath it Rev. 2.17 Fourteenthly It enables them to overcome and brings them to inherit all things to know God to be their God and they to be his People who have this Baptism Rev. 21.7 And Lastly It fits Men for every good Word and Work brings them out of the Kingdom of Satan into the Kingdom of God Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost and so to live in Unity Fellowship and Communion with God and one with another and to be alive unto God through Jesus Christ in him to live unto the Lord and when they die to die in the Lord so that living and dying they may be the Lord's Rom. 14.8 Acts 26.18 Col. 1.10 11 12 13. 1 Iohn 1.3 7. I might go on further to shew how it brings Men to grow in Faith and to overcome the wicked One and to overcome the World and to be Conquerors and able to do all things through Christ who has all Power c. in and by whom we have Redemption and Forgiveness of Sins even through his Blood for he that spared not his only Beloved Son but gave him up freely a Ransom for us all he also with him freely gives us all things Glory be given to him for ever Amen Thus I have endeavoured for the Information of true Enquirers to shew what Christ's Baptism is and how Men are made Instrumental in the Lord's Hand and enabled by him to perform the Work and Service he imploys them in how they are made true preachers or Teachers so as to Baptize into the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost for the Life of a true Disciple of Christ a true Christian is of a Disciplining Teaching Nature for he is as Noah was a Preacher of Righteousness in the Spirit Life Power or Name of Jesus in his Day Age and Generation and in the Name is an Honourer of the Name and Power of God and shews it forth to others yea before all Men that he lives not in his own or by his own Power Strength or Wisdom but in the Name of Christ and knows Christ to be his Strength and is what he is in the Lord without whom he is nothing nor can do nothing see Acts 16.16 18. compared with 1 Cor. 1.17 See what the Apostle was sent to do in order to turn Men from Darkness unto Light and from the Power of Satan unto God Eph. 4. read the whole Chapter and see who it was that fitted and furnished them for every good Word and Work Something concerning the Lord's Supper So Called I Have searched the Four Evangelists Matthew Mark Luke and Iohn and the rest of the New Testament throughly concerning this Matter about which many Professors are so Hot and Zealous and I do not find plain and substantial Ground for what they so earnestly contend about I also observe it is not long since many suffered Martyrdom here in England because they believed not as the Roman Catholicks so called did believe in Q. Mary's Days and I remember the Presbyterians in the time of Oliver Cromwell were very strict about it and examined People of their Faith Hope and such like and whom they liked or approved of were

your Power and Authority in this matter that you both Preach and Baptize Whereas Paul says He was not sent to Baptize but to Preach And we say and know what we say to be true that we are not sent to Baptize into Water but to Preach the Gospel and our Authority came not by Man of Man nor from Man but by the Grace of God we are what we are and his Grace is sufficient for us and ever hath been since we were a People and so will be to the End And we further say We know that Iohn was sent to Baptize with Water and we own him in his Day but where did Iohn Baptize using those words Father Son and Holy Spirit For they that had been Baptized into Iohn's Baptism had not so much as heard of a Holy Ghost So that this Baptism ye practise cannot be Iohn's nor Christ's it cannot be for he never had Water ascribed to him But Iohn who was a true Minister in his time of Water-Baptism said HE meaning Christ shall Baptize you with the Holy Ghost and Fire So then if not Iohn's as it 's clear it is not for Iohn's was a Type of the True Baptism of the Spirit and when the Types Figures Vails and Shadows were ended and HE the End and Beginning First and Last was arisen and had rent the Vail from the top to the bottom I say when the Sun of Righteousness did arise the Shadows fled away and gave him place over his own House to rule whose Right it was Then was the true Baptism known then came the Holy Ghost ●●on them then did the true Light shin●●● and the Darkness fled away then were they inwardly washed and their Understandings opened then was the Circumcision of the Heart known then was he entered into that within the Vail into the true Tabernacle which God pitched and not Man And so Iohn went before as a Type but willingly gave place to the Substance So that it 's clear the Baptism you use is not Iohn's and it is much more clear that it is not Christ's Baptism and so it must needs be your own done by you in imitation of the Holy Men of God gone before who did what they did in Obedience to the Lord and in his Power and were sent by him But Oh! whoever sent you Baptists in this great and notable Day of the Lord It will one day be said Who hath required these things at your hands Either shew us your Commission or else acknowledge your great Error and Repent and come unto the true Light and walk in it prize it and obey it that ye may be saved by it For it is not a fair Outside of the Cup and Platter but the Inward Washing of Regeneration by the Spirit and a Living in the Spirit and the whole Worship of God say we and the Scriptures the same That the True Worship of God is in Spirit and in Truth But that your Water-Baptism is Spiritual I deny or that it ought to be observed in the Worship of God you cannot prove But Iohn's was ordained to be used as a Type before the Spirit 's Worship or the True Worship in the Spirit was fully Established and of it self a thing that I believe none of you dare say doth in any measure sanctifie and wash the Soul And if it be of so little Effect unto the Soul why what necessity is there for the Continuance of it to the World's End since also ye cannot prove it so commanded For once more let me tell you that that Baptism commanded in Mat. 28. was INTO the Name of the Father Son and Spirit or Holy Ghost But I say this was not Iohn's for they that had been baptiz'd unto Iohn's Baptism had not so much as heard of a Holy Ghost Acts 19.1 2 3 4. which they must needs have done if they had been baptized with the use of these words In the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost But further you acknowledge your selves that it is but a Type Well I ask you then What doth it type forth unto us Or what is it a Type of If it be a Type of the Baptism of Christ then I ask you What further need there is of it when the thing signified by it is come Or do you think that Type and Substance must remain together to the World's End Was it not always from the Foundation of the Law that when the Substance came then the Shadows fled away But altho' you should still say Why then did the Apostles use it after the Spirit 's Baptism was accomplish'd I Answer as before The Apostles had Power over it after they saw beyond it and could submit unto the Weakness of Believers Capacities in many things as above is mentioned but that they saw not beyond it till it was reveal'd unto them is clear but then they spoke of the One Baptism of the One Lord and of the One Faith And so Iohn himself when he saw Jesus walking he said unto his Followers Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the World And Iohn's Disciples left Iohn mark they left Iohn and walked no more with him For Iohn's Baptism could not wash them from their Sins But behold the Lamb of God takes away Sin puts an end to Sin finishes Transgression and brings in Everlasting Righteousness he makes every whit whole and fully saves to the utmost them that come to God by him and makes clean them that he washeth And if I wash thee not saith he thou hast no part in me He satisfies for he is the Bridegroom himself but Iohn was not He it 's true was the Bridegroom's Friend and would not rob him of his Prerogative or Honour but rejoyced to hear his Voice and when it was heard said This my Ioy therefore is fulfilled So we own Iohn in his Place and Time But we own the Bridegroom above Iohn although Iohn was his Friend and did what was commanded but thought not much to give him place who had commanded him And so my dearly Beloved Friends it is in much Love to all but chiefly to you called Anabaptists that this is written as I can truly testifie in the Manifestation of that true Light spoken of in the Scriptures of Truth Unto which I once more beseech you to turn your Minds and believe in it and come to walk in it and obey it and then will you have Fellowship with us and truly our Fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Christ Jesus by whom we have always received the Attonement and in whom we live out of whom we cannot live for he is our Life To whom be Glory for ever Iohn Gratton Written the 7th of the First Month 1674. The Conclusion GReat hath been the Travail of my Soul for the Prosperity of Sion and for her establishment above the Top of all the Mountains and blessed be the Lord my God my Eyes behold her and see her Beauty to exceed all the Glory of the Earth and her coming out of her Wilderness-State is come I say the time is come And many have lyed or lain in the Way-side to have drawn her aside and would gladly have allured and inticed her from her Beloved and gladly would have had her turned aside unto other Lovers and have cryed out unto her What is thy Beloved unto anothers Beloved And have spoken against her and when they could not prevail with her have evil entreated her and Persecuted her for her Beloved's sake And many have been her Troubles but the Lord hath delivered her out of all And great is her Joy at this day and her Glory exceeds all the Glory of the Nations Her Beauty is Perfect She is a Virgin and never was defiled but is all Glorious The King's Daughter is all Glorious within her Garments are all wrought Gold wholly pure she has no Blemish she is all fair without spot the only beloved of the Lord Glory to his Name He hath remembred her in Love and her Sorrows has he seen and will plead her Cause and subdue Kingdoms for her sake and make her Way plain before her Oh! Come unto Sion all ye that desire her Prosperity and be not so foolish as to sit down short of her her City is free her Gates are open by Day and by Night she has no need of the Sun by Day nor of the Moon by Night but the Lord God and the Lamb are the Light thereof Her Light will never grow dark her Sun will never set Night shall be no more upon her for her Sun is arisen and as one to run a Race is marching on his strength is as a Lyon his Voice is heard to roar and great Fear is fallen and a falling upon the Beast of Prey O! Who would not live in her Her Gates are paved with precious Pearls her Inhabitants are all Kings and Priests unto God she is altogether comely and her Glory shall never have an end Amen Oh! Who who would not dwell here Come Come unto Sion all ye that are sincere to what ye know Turn ye turn at her Call and embrace her Counsel Why will ye bestow your Money for that which is not Bread and your Labour for that which satisfieth not Oh! come unto me saith the Lord my Voice is near you How often have I called and ye regarded not nor have not answered my Requirings but are imitating them whose Life and Power you are out of But now turn ye unto the Lord with all your Hearts believe in his Light and Life will you know that never can have an end but if you still refuse you will one day know that you were Warned and Invited by one that truly seeks not himself but earnestly travails for the Wellfare of all Men and is become Servant to all for Jesus's sake To him be all Honour Praise and Dominion for ever and for evermore J. G. THE END