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
God puts the Spirit of life in them then they shall affright all those that dwell upon the earth beware then all those that do live upon earthen principles Doctrines Forms Customes and Traditions of men they shall be all affrighted with a witnesse therefore look to it well that the dispensations you live under be of God and not of man for God will destroy all things below himself though never so excellent and highly esteemed of man So I conclude wishing that we may all live in love now one to another seeing love shall continue to Eternity and let us consider what a low thing it is for believers to live contrary to that which is their life and in which we are all one body and members in particular which is Love A brief description of the particulars contained in this Book 1. The Testimony of John the Baptist concerning his Baptisme and the Baptisme of Christ that was to follow 2. The Testimony of Christ concerning John Baptist and wherein he was greater and lesser then those that went before him and those that followed after him 3. The Testimony of Christ concerning his own Baptism declared in the Commission and in other severall places and what it is 4. Severall dispensations in which God hath manifested himself unto his people at severall times the last being wholly Spirituall 5. That the Baptisme of Christ is to baptise men into the name of God according to the Commission and not into water and what the name of God is into which we are baptised according to the Commission Matth. 28. 19. page 13. laid down in seven particulars 6. Severall Testimonies from the clear word of truth how the Nations come to be partakers of the Baptisme of the Spirit in the Apostles ministry which doth clearly agree with the Commission wherein it doth clearly appear that Christs Baptisme was and is Spirit-Baptisme 7. Twenty four Objections for Water-Baptisme answered wherein it doth appear plainly that Water-Baptisme iâ— no more in force now than other Ceremonies KInd Reader observe that I had said nothing in publick if men had let the the truth alone and walked as their light was and waited upon God for further discovery of truth but when I hear and see men so publickly oppose the clear truth I cannot but speak the things I have seen and heard in witnesse to the truth God having made me a witnesse not man A Cryer in the Wildernesse OF ENGLAND Declaring the Baptisme of the Eternall Spirit to be the onely Baptisme in Christs Kingdome revealed in Gospel-light according to the word written in the Scriptures and the Eternall word written in the hidden man of the heart for satisfaction of those that desire to be satisfied with Truth alone THE best way to reconcile differences in the things of God is to lay aside all humane and traditionall Doctrines of men and look exactly into the testimony of the word of God alone that being an infallible Rule that whosoever follows it in the light and wisdome of the Eternall spirit they cannot erre And God having taught me not to depend upon man whose breath is in his nostrills but to look unto the Lord a-alone whose work alone it is to bring forth the new Creation I desire therefore not to stand looking back upon the old building in the Wildernesse of Antichrists Kingdome after so long and generall Apostafie from the purity of the first Churches in the Apostles times But my desire is with the Apostle to look for new Heavens and a new Earth according to the promise of God Even such Heavens and Earth where the righteousnesse of God doth dwell and not such righteousnesse as men sets up by their humane Wisdome and Counsel I doubt not but these are the dayes wherein God will bring forth the clear light of truth that hath been hid many generations and let men set up what they will or what man can set up yet nothing shall stand in the bright day of Gods coming in spirit in these latter dayes but the purity holinesse and righteousnesse of God which is suitable to the new heavens and new Earth the work of God alone And now among many other things in controversie in our dayes I find a great deal of difference about Baptisme and all for baptising with materiall water some for Infant Baptisme and others for baptising believers And I have if God hath given me understanding in the mystery of the truth searched to find out the right way of Baptisme and I can find neither of these to be the way of Gospel-Baptisme neither can I find by the Testimony of the word of truth that there is any water Baptisme at all to be used by way of Command in the pure spirituall Kingdome of Christ But that water Baptisme was at an end in respect of the command of it when Christ was glorified and came in spirit as all other Ceremonies Types and Figures were And I can find no other Baptisme in Christs Kingdome to be in force but the Baptisme of the Eternall spirit and this I affirm to be all and the onely Baptisme in the Kingdome of Christ And to go about to set up any other Baptisme in Christs Kingdome is all one as if men should set up any other Ceremony all which will alike prove humane and traditionall not spiritual nor of divine Institution and for the proof hereof I shall lay aside all the Judgements interpretations and opinions of men who do casually understand the Scripâ—ures and refer my self and all others for the triall of this tâ—uth unto the testimony of the word of God alone and so fâ—r as any do see the word in the light of God so far they can beliâ—ve it really and no further And that we may see this to be clear truth from the testimony of the word alone that the Baptisme of the Eternall Spirit is the onely Baptisme in Christs Kingdome Let us consider the testimony First of John the Baptist Secondly of Christ And thirdly of the Apostles in their preaching and writing to the people with the Objections of men also for water Baptisme and the answers against it from the clear testimony of the word and not from men in these and severall other particulars according to the word I shall as God enables me proceed in this Discourse for the help of man is vain in the things of God First then we will begin with the Testimony of John the Baptist himself who was the author of water Baptisme and see what he saith for his own Baptisme which was water and what he saith of Christs Baptisme which is Spirit First in Generall we will observe one thing that John declareth and it is this that he was sent to baptise with water Iohn 1. 33. Now let all our water-men in England or in all Nations come forth with their strong reasons and bring one witnesse in the word of truth that saith from Christ that ever he sent his Apostles to baptise
the world seeing Gods Laws are pure holy just good righteous and upright Laws that are written in his peoples hearts and brought forth in their conversations what think you are not such Laws who are of God the Laws of the spirit of life of love of power and of a sound mind are not these sufficient to distinguish Gods people from the world the world being led by the Devil and their own lusts 3. What think you is not the light of God in his people clear enough bright enough shining forth in them and they in it to distinguish them from the blind and dark world who do live and walk in darknesse and stumble at they know not what seeing light is sown for the righteous and it springs up in them and they shine forth in it I hope this will be bright enough to see and discern them in without their going under water 4. The wisdome of God being wrought in his people by the word of Gods eternall wisdome in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge this is wise enough to distinguish them from the ignorant and foolish world this is wise enough to direct them in wayes above the wayes of the world and so the wisdome of God being revealed in the secret parts in the inward man and so teaching the whole man to walk wisely toward all men that so wisdome might be justified of her children and this is enough to distinguish wisdomes children from the world they need not have water-Baptisme to help in this businesse 5. Is not the love of God revealed in his people the foundation of their happinesse and that whereby they do stand is not this enough to distinguish them from the world who lives in wrath hatred malice and envy hatefull and hating one another 6. Is not the holinesse purity and righteousnesse of God holy enough and pure enough and righteous enough being brought forth by the mighty power of God in them for to distingish them from the unclean unholy and unrighteous world except they be washed in earthly water what think you can this adde any thing to the purity holinesse and righteousnesse of God for the further distinguishing of us from the profane world 7. The grace of God that bringeth eternall salvation to light in our souls teacheth us to deny all ungodlinesse and worldly lusts and teacheth us also to live Godly Righteously and soberly in this present world and is not this enough to distinguish us from the evil world O that we could once see that principle of eternall grace manifest it self in those that professe godlinesse then I affirm they need no more to separate them from the world 8. God dwells in his people walks in them lives in them they are his habitation his resting place they live in God in divine injoyments and what think you now is the presence of God living and dwelling in his people in the precious discoveries and injoyments of love and favour living in them to Eternity Is this enough to distinguish them from the world who do live without God c. What think you is not eternall being the Lord Jehovah the mighty God in the love wisdome life light power c. of divine spirituall glory enough to distinguish his people from the world without their coming under some carnall ordinance of being thrown into water or the like 9. You talk of distinguishing the world and carnall Church one from another by water-Baptisme but you are quite out for this is rather a mark of Antichrist wherein the world and carnall Church are joyned together and so a Kingdome of Antichrist is made up of carnall Christians made so by water-Baptisme Objection 4. But Infant-Baptisme hath been of a long time standing for ought we know even from the Apostles times Answ 1. Let this be granted yet if you cannot make it appear to be of Scripture proof either from command or example it is nothing worth for consider there were many Antichrists gone forth even in the Apostles times and that which hath no ground in Scripture must needs be an Antichrist and then here is the whole line of your succession cut off What do you think Is not this the way to set up an Antichrist to go about to make Christians where Christ makes none Now all Europe have been made Christians by Infant-Baptisme and yet many thousands of them have not been Christians indeed and then what have they been but Antichristians and all this hath been done without any Testimony at all from the word therefore it is of Antichrist and not of the true Christ Again many have been dipped in water at severall times from an outward profession and after their conversation have declared them to be of Antichrist so both forms in both wayes go to make up a Carnall Church for Antichrist From unity in a form for which there is no ground at all for in the word of truth but meerely from mens carnall principles conceits and traditions one never being commanded nor any example of the practise of it and the other in Force and in use when other Ceremonies were Objection 5. Water-Baptisme keeps men in Fellowship Love and Unity among themselves so that they denyed noâ— asunder as others do and as they might if they did not take up this form Answer 1. Example teacheth us that Unity in an externall form cannot keep people together in Unity fellowship and love for many that have been and are still one in some forms as water-Baptisme c. yet they agree not in other things and at last many have broken quite in pieces and parted quite asunder Forms do commonly keep people together for their own ends and interests therefore this Unity is not Gospel-proof but Antichristian Unity for that is Antichristian Unity that tyes up peoples love in one form 2. The people of God who are called by his grace and hath his love revealed in them and do really live in God and so in love and so in the Unity of one eternall Spirit by whom they are all led into all truth faithfullnesse Love fellowship kindnesse tendernesse of heart Bowels of Compassion c. one to another they need not to have any outward form of water or any such thing to keep them in Unity of Spirit c. being one Spirit in the Lord but that one eternall Spirit that is in them all who doth quicken them all it being the spirit of love in them all this internall work of God in power from on high shed abroad in his peoples hearts is of infinite more force to keep them in love and fellowship with one another in the Father and the Son than any earthly form dipping or sprinckling a little cold water you that are truly spirituall consider Objection 6. That which was once commanded and never reversed or repealed is still in force and water-Baptsme was once commanded and never repealed therefore it is still in force An. 1. All Ceremonies were
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
which he hath no right to doth this argue that therefore he will throw away all that is his own or any of that he hath right to But do you know what an Ordinance of God is that you do cry out so much for Ordinances if you do not then give me leave to declare some unto you and these are standing Ordinances indeed and those wherein God is glorified among his people in the true and spiritual performance of them First then let us take up that Ordinance of Christ Matth. 5. 16. compared with Phil. 2. 15. Let your light so shine before men that they seeing your good works may glorifie your Father which is in heaven I advise those to take up this Ordinance or to walk in it that have the true light of Christ in them let us so walk in the light of God revealed in us that all may see that our light is of God and this you see is a Gospel-Ordinance 2 Observe another Ordinance which is also a command of Christ Joh. 13. 34 35. ver 35. by this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples if ye have love one to another I also advise all to obey this Ordinance of Christ that have the precious love of Christ shed abroad in their hearts by the spirit of love from the Father and the Son Oh let not us who are all in one eternal love brought out of eternal bondage sin and darkness into eternal liberty light and love let not us confine our love to forms and opinions as it is the ordinary practise of our times But let our love extend unto all and from very love to do good unto all we have an Ordinance for this large extent of love Love your enemies do good to them that hate you c. Do good unto all but especially to the houshold of Faith love the brotherhood but nowhere love for opinion that is carnal love for the true brotherhood lies not in any form but from oneness of spirit in love But many now adays look so much upon carnal Ordinances and outward observations that their love is wholly upon that and those that follow those forms they are undone And they are so far from fulfilling this great Gospel-Ordinance toward all that they manifest more hatred and envy to those that liâ—e in the same love of the Father that they say they do live in though they do not live under the same form as they do then they do manifest to the greatest blasphemer or wicked person in the world and all is from some difference about outside things but they that are joyned to the Lord are one spirit not joyned to one form Here is the cunning of the devil to break in pieces the bonds of love and unity among those that profess the Lord Jesus But I could wish love were more practised among all that do own love and that all would do as they would be done unto but this I must tell you There is no command more exhorted unto and no command more slighted then this is I could wish we had not cause now to say to people as Christ said to the Pharisees that they do make void the commands of God by their traditions yet this is the practise of many now to this very yeer 1653. For they set up fâ—rms and traditions of men and confine all to follow them and to obey these Ordinances that are of men and those that will not or that cannot follow them nor submit to them they must be cryed out against for hereticks and blasphemers and so love that is the great command of God that is made void and the Ordinances of men they are sâ—t up and cryed up let love and Christian fellowship go whither it will 3 We have another Ordinance set forth Col. 3. 16. unto which we do well to take heed Let the word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another in the several parts of the great mystery of godliness Let us teach exhort instruct and comfort each other as we are taught instructed and comforted in the Lord that so we may be instruments so strengthen one another against all conditions tbat we may fall into Let those who are indued with power from on high continue in the word and doctrine of truth and righteousness Here is another Ordinance of God God enable us to obey it in sincerity 4 Let us walk wisâ—ly toward all giving no offence to Jew nor Gentile nor to the Church of God that whereas others do speak evil of us as evil coers they may be ashamed by the beholding our sincerity in Christ Jesus But as for those who are offended at the truth let them bear their own shame for the cause of offence is not in the truth but those that oppose it let not this Ordinance be forgotten neither 5 Give no place to the devil nor your own deceitful lusts but abstain from all fleshly lusts that do war against the soul and be ye holy in all manner of conversation acting and shewing forth the purity of the hidden man of the heart that you may appear to be the workmanship of God in spirit and power and that ye have received the spirit of power love and of a sound minde have also a special eye to this Ordinance too 6 Deal honestly with all men and speak truth every one to his neighbour put away lying and all deceit guile and hypocrisie let all your actions speak forth righteousness and act in righteousness and uprightness toward all hate flattery and bribes with all things that are evil do unto all men as you would have they should do unto you Here are Ordinances enough if we could but see them and had but a principle from God to walk in them the Lord bring forth righteousness in our hearts and then our actions will speak forth righteousness indeed 7 Be not partial one to another Jam. 2. Let not the rich slight the poor nor let not their benevolence be tyed up under single forms and remember this that pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this to visit the fatherless and widdows in their afflictions and to keep himself unspotted from the world Jam. 1. 27. here are Ordinances enough everywhere in the word of God I could wish they were in our hearts too for here are Ordinances enough for us to practise if water were quite down Remember Rom. 14. that the stong should not slight nor despise the weak nor the weak should not contemn the strong but let all keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace 2 Pet. 4. 2 3 c. You may take them exhortations Luk. 3. from John to the people and also many more in the word of truth onely I thought it good to put you in minde of a few that so ye may see there are other Ordinances besides cold water and such as there is a thousand times more ground to